Taiwan to hold referendum on same-sex marriage
The island was the first to allow same-sex couples to get married and gave a two-year deadline for legalisation
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Taiwan is set to hold a public vote to decide whether to recognise same-sex marriage.
The island – which is part of the Republic of China – announced they will be reviving a debate over whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
Last year, Taiwan became the first island in Asia to allow same-sex couples to get married and gave a two-year deadline for legalisation.
However, an activist group submitted a petition to Taiwan’s Central Election Commission proposing a vote on the issue and asked for a separate law for same-sex unions, something they claimed would defend “family values”.
Following a month-long review, the commission decided that the referendum will be held on November 24 – the same day the island is set to hold mayoral and magisterial elections.