Taiwan Preparing Same-Sex Partnership Law

[fountainhall]

There has been a fair amount of speculation about which Asian country will be the first to legalise either same sex partnerships or even same sex marriage. Vietnam has a draft bill which seems to be going nowhere fast. In Taiwan, though, with its rapidly developing gay scene - more than 60,000 have attended each of the last 3 Taipei Gay Pride Parades - the authorities have finally taken note and announced they are drafting a same-sex partnership bill.

It's not yet a done deal. The draft will be put on line so that the public can vote freely for or against. Parliament will then use these opinions in making its final decision. Last year, though, an on-line poll showed a 68% acceptance of same-sex marriage and so it is believed the new bill has a very good chance of passing.

Attempts were made last year to amend the current marriage equality bill, but religious activists helped kill the process. No doubt these homophobes will spew their vitriol again this year, but with island-wide views are being canvassed, it's extremely unlikely they will be as successful this time around.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/07/20/ta ... riage-law/ (http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/07/20/taiwan-to-prepare-same-sex-marriage-law/)

[fountainhall]

Seems like Taiwan is now closer than ever to some form of gay partnership law. Today's Taipei Times reports that in the Ministry of Justice on-line poll, 75% of respondents so far favour "the establishment of a new law that would allow same-sex partnerships". Not sure when the poll ends, but the religious extremists do not yet seem to have had much effect on the polling results.

Slightly off topic, the hot spring that caters to many gays has sadly been closed since last Saturday's devastating typhoon. It's not only extensive damage to the trees and vegetation, it seems there has also been damage to the piping system. I was hoping it might be up and running before I leave on Thursday!