Taiwan has voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, making them the first place in Asia to do so.
The court said Taiwan’s current Civil Code, which says an agreement to marry could only be made between a man and a woman, “violated” the constitution’s guarantees of freedom of marriage and people’s equality. It also said that the decision to allow gay marriage would contribute to social stability and protect human dignity.
Taiwan’s pioneering gay rights campaigner, Chi Chia-wei, is one of the petitioners who brought the case to the constitutional court.
A majority of at least 10 judges out of a panel of 14 was need to agree on the ruling. In the end only 2 dissented.
Taiwan is seen as one of the most progressive societies in Asia when it comes to gay rights, and momentum has been gathering since President Tsai Ing-wen — who has openly supported marriage equality — came to power last May.