Taiwan approves same sex marriage, first in Asia

Taiwan has become the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage following a vote in parliament on Friday.

The parliament passed the law allowing same-sex couples to form exclusive permanent unions which would let them apply for a marriage registration with government agencies.

The vote is said to be a major victory for the nation’s gay community who have campaigned for years to have equal marriage rights as heterosexual couples.

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According to BBC, Taiwan’s top court ruled that not allowing same-sex couples to marry violates the constitution.

This prompted Judges give the government a deadline of May 24 this year to make the changes or see marriage equality enacted automatically.

But this was met with a public backlash, which pressured the government into holding a series of referendums.

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