Taiwan voters set to block same-sex marriage in referendum

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS NOVEMBER 24, 2018 / 12:14 PM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

Taiwan voters set to block same-sex marriage in referendum

Jess Macy Yu, Yimou Lee
3 MIN READ

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan voters were set to back a referendum that defines marriage as between a man and a woman, dealing a blow to the self-ruled island’s reputation for liberalism in Asia amid a heated debate over marriage equality.

In Asia’s first such ruling, Taiwan’s constitutional court declared in May 2017 that same-sex couples had the right to legally marry, and set a two-year deadline for legalization.

But the island’s election authority earlier this year approved contradicting referendum petitions from both conservative and rights groups.

While the election authority had not yet announced the final results of Saturday’s referendum, more than six million voters approved a series of initiatives opposing marriage equality, passing a threshold needed for a public vote.

The vote presents a major defeat for rights activists who had campaigned for equal marriage.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-politics-lgbt/taiwan-voters-set-to-block-same-sex-marriage-in-referendum-idUSKCN1NT0Q7

[left-of-center2012]

1. Update

Taiwan voters reject same-sex marriage in referendum

The marriage issue was actually the subject of three separate referendums on Saturday, which were put forward by rival camps.

Conservative groups asked whether the legislation - defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman in Taiwan's Civil Code - should remain unchanged, while LGBT activists demanded equal marriage rights.

Initial results suggest the conservatives received overwhelming support, while gay rights activists failed.

The government earlier said Saturday's referendums would not affect it bringing in the changes required by the court ruling. The authorities are now expected to pass a special law, without amending the Civil Code.

But campaigners fear the eventual legislation will be weaker.

One possible outcome could be that gay couples are given legal protection - but not allowed to get married, correspondents say.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46329877