Taiwan becomes first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage
Government survives last-minute attempt by conservatives
Taiwan's parliament legalised same-sex marriage on May 17 in a landmark first for Asia as the government survived a last-minute attempt by conservatives to pass a watered-down version.
'Exclusive permanent unions'
The island's lawmakers comfortably passed a law allowing same-sex couples to form 'exclusive permanent unions' and a second clause that would let them apply for a 'marriage registration' with government agencies.
Major victory to years of campaigning
The vote is a major victory for the island's LGBT community who have campaigned for years to have similar of equal marriage rights as heterosexual couples and places the island at the vanguard of Asia's burgeoning gay rights movement.
Rival bills struggled to receive enough votes
In recent months conservatives had mobilised to rid the law of any reference to marriage, instead putting forward rival bills that offered something closer to limited same-sex unions.
But those bills struggled to receive enough votes.
Gay right supporters near Taipei's parliament
Hundreds of gay rights supporters gathered despite heavy rain near Taipei's parliament as a mammoth legislative debate got under way over an issue that has bitterly divided the island.
Marraige Equality
The vote followed a years-long tussle over marriage equality that culminated in a 2017 declaration by the democratic island's constitutional court giving same-sex couples the right to marry, and setting a deadline of May 24 for legislation.
Gay pride parade
Taipei's colourful gay pride parade, one of Asia's largest, puts on display every year the vibrancy of the island's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
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