The News Lens
Date: 2016/11/08
Bye: TNL Staff
Taiwan has edged closer to becoming the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, after 
proposed amendments to marriage laws passed the first reading in its parliament today.
Draft amendments to the Civil Code regarding same-sex marriage passed the first reading in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan this afternoon.
Two drafts, proposed by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Yu Mei-nu (尤美女) and opposition Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Hsu Yu-jen (許毓仁), have now been handed over to the Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee for review. A similar proposal by the New Power Party (NPP) is still pending..
Pressure has been mounting on Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) administration to progress same-sex marriage after Tsai used marriage equality as part of her campaign platform ahead of the January election.
On Oct. 25, legislator Yu proposed the draft amendment to legalize same-sex marriage. Taiwan’s executive branch of government – the Executive Yuan – has since said it will support legislation to allow same-sex marriage and marriage equality. [FULL STORY]
