Following a referendum that changed the landscape for LGBTQ rights in Switzerland, the first same-sex couples tied the knot in the country.

Alois Carnier and Peter Leu have become the first time two men to walk&nbsp;out of the civil registry in their town of Schaffhausen as husband and husband.

The couple exchanged touching words, beneath a sparkling chandelier in a mirrored salon, recalling their years together and love for each other with a dozen or so close friends and family in attendance

Geneva mayor Marie Barbey-Chappuis, who conducted the ceremony, said "I am now very pleased to announce that you are officially married."

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Instead of exchanging rings, the couple opted to leave on the gold bands from their civil partnership struck exactly 19 years ago.

Similarly, after being together for 21 years, 46-year-old&nbsp;Aline converted her civil union into marriage with&nbsp;Laure&nbsp;at the plush Palais Eynard in Geneva.

After successfully triggering a referendum held last September, the Swiss opposition plans to challenge the government's plans to finally introduce "marriage for all" was not supported by the public as 64.1 per cent of voters backed the introduction of same-sex marriage in the wealthy Alpine nation.

Although Switzerland decriminalised homosexuality in 1942 it was one of the last remaining western European nations where same-sex marriages had yet to be adopted.

However, that changed with the referendum and now same-sex couples can now marry in civil ceremonies and enjoy the same rights as other married couples.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

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Following a referendum that changed the landscape for LGBTQ rights in Switzerland, the first same-sex couples tied the knot in the country. Alois Carnier and Peter Leu have become the first time two men to walk out of the civil registry in their town of Schaffhausen as husband and husband.

Following a referendum that changed the landscape for LGBTQ rights in Switzerland, the first same-sex couples tied the knot in the country. Alois Carnier and Peter Leu have become the first time two men to walk out of the civil registry in their town of Schaffhausen as husband and husband. The couple exchanged touching words, beneath a sparkling chandelier in a mirrored salon, recalling their years together and love for each other with a dozen or so close friends and family in attendance Geneva mayor Marie Barbey-Chappuis, who conducted the ceremony, said "I am now very pleased to announce that you are officially married." × Instead of exchanging rings, the couple opted to leave on the gold bands from their civil partnership struck exactly 19 years ago. Similarly, after being together for 21 years, 46-year-old Aline converted her civil union into marriage with Laure at the plush Palais Eynard in Geneva. After successfully triggering a referendum held last September, the Swiss opposition plans to challenge the government's plans to finally introduce "marriage for all" was not supported by the public as 64.1 per cent of voters backed the introduction of same-sex marriage in the wealthy Alpine nation. Although Switzerland decriminalised homosexuality in 1942 it was one of the last remaining western European nations where same-sex marriages had yet to be adopted. However, that changed with the referendum and now same-sex couples can now marry in civil ceremonies and enjoy the same rights as other married couples. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

'I do': History made in Switzerland as first same-sex couples marry

Taiwan's parliament began debating Asia's first gay marriage law on Friday as conservative lawmakers launched a last-ditch attempt to scupper the most progressive bill in favour of a watered-down "civil union" law.&nbsp;

Hundreds of gay rights supporters gathered despite heavy rain near Taipei's parliament as a mammoth legislative debate got underway over an issue that has bitterly divided the island.

Parliament is up against a ticking clock.

Taiwan's top court has ruled that not allowing same-sex couples to marry violates the constitution. Judges gave the government until May 24 this year to make the changes or see marriage equality enacted automatically.&nbsp;

But they gave no guidance on how to do that.

With that deadline fast approaching, three bills have been tabled for Friday's vote -- which also happens to be&nbsp;the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

The most progressive is the government's bill, the only one to use the word "marriage" and to offer limited adoption rights.&nbsp;

It is backed -- begrudgingly&nbsp;-- by gay rights groups who see it as the closest thing to full equality with heterosexual couples, despite its limitations.

Opponents have tabled two other versions which avoid the word marriage, offering something closer to same-sex unions with no adoption rights.

Conservative and religious groups have been buoyed by a series of &nbsp;referendum wins in November, in which voters comprehensively rejected defining marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman. &nbsp;

Families divided&nbsp;

In a Facebook post President Tsai Ing-wen said she recognised the issue had divided "families, generations and even inside religious groups".&nbsp;

But she said the government's bill was the only one that respects both the court judgement and the referendum.

"Today, we have a chance to make history and show the world that progressive values can take root in an East Asian society," she added in a tweet.

Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) holds the majority in parliament, occupying 68 out of 113 seats.

But there is no guarantee her own lawmakers will vote for the more progressive bill, especially as many fear being punished by conservative voters at the ballot box in January.

One of the rival bills was proposed by a DPP lawmaker.&nbsp;And a last-minute amended version of the government's bill has been tabled by fellow lawmakers in the party, dropping the phrase "same-sex marriage".

However, it still lets same-sex couples join an "exclusive permanent union" and apply for a "marriage registration" with government agencies.

LGBT community in limbo&nbsp;

Taiwan's LGBT community has been left in limbo the last two years, with many couples planning weddings ahead of the May 24th deadline but unsure of what marriage equality will look like.

"The world is watching to see if Taiwan's parliament will write a new page in gender equality or deal another blow to Taiwan's hard-fought democracy, human rights and the rule of law," said Jennifer Lu, a spokeswoman for Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan.

"For the gay communities what matters the most is whether we can legally get married on May 24 and be listed as the spouse in ID cards, to be treated and respected as the 'spouse' in the whole legal system ... and whether same-sex families can obtain legal parental rights for their children."

Cindy Su was one of thousands of gay marriage supporters gathered outside parliament on Friday ahead of the debate.&nbsp;

"We are just a group of people who want to live well on this land and who love each other," she told the crowd.

But opponents warn that "forcefully" passing a gay marriage law will intensify tensions.

"The cabinet's bill ignores the referendum results and that is unacceptable," said Lai Shyh-bao of the opposition Kuomintang party, who proposed one of the bills backed by conservatives.

Taiwan's parliament began debating Asia's first gay marriage law on Friday as conservative lawmakers launched a last-ditch attempt to scupper the most progressive bill in favour of a watered-down "civil union" law.

Taiwan's parliament began debating Asia's first gay marriage law on Friday as conservative lawmakers launched a last-ditch attempt to scupper the most progressive bill in favour of a watered-down "civil union" law. Hundreds of gay rights supporters gathered despite heavy rain near Taipei's parliament as a mammoth legislative debate got underway over an issue that has bitterly divided the island. Parliament is up against a ticking clock. Taiwan's top court has ruled that not allowing same-sex couples to marry violates the constitution. Judges gave the government until May 24 this year to make the changes or see marriage equality enacted automatically. But they gave no guidance on how to do that. With that deadline fast approaching, three bills have been tabled for Friday's vote -- which also happens to be the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The most progressive is the government's bill, the only one to use the word "marriage" and to offer limited adoption rights. It is backed -- begrudgingly -- by gay rights groups who see it as the closest thing to full equality with heterosexual couples, despite its limitations. Opponents have tabled two other versions which avoid the word marriage, offering something closer to same-sex unions with no adoption rights. Conservative and religious groups have been buoyed by a series of referendum wins in November, in which voters comprehensively rejected defining marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman. Families divided In a Facebook post President Tsai Ing-wen said she recognised the issue had divided "families, generations and even inside religious groups". But she said the government's bill was the only one that respects both the court judgement and the referendum. "Today, we have a chance to make history and show the world that progressive values can take root in an East Asian society," she added in a tweet. Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) holds the majority in parliament, occupying 68 out of 113 seats. But there is no guarantee her own lawmakers will vote for the more progressive bill, especially as many fear being punished by conservative voters at the ballot box in January. One of the rival bills was proposed by a DPP lawmaker. And a last-minute amended version of the government's bill has been tabled by fellow lawmakers in the party, dropping the phrase "same-sex marriage". However, it still lets same-sex couples join an "exclusive permanent union" and apply for a "marriage registration" with government agencies. LGBT community in limbo Taiwan's LGBT community has been left in limbo the last two years, with many couples planning weddings ahead of the May 24th deadline but unsure of what marriage equality will look like. "The world is watching to see if Taiwan's parliament will write a new page in gender equality or deal another blow to Taiwan's hard-fought democracy, human rights and the rule of law," said Jennifer Lu, a spokeswoman for Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan. "For the gay communities what matters the most is whether we can legally get married on May 24 and be listed as the spouse in ID cards, to be treated and respected as the 'spouse' in the whole legal system ... and whether same-sex families can obtain legal parental rights for their children." Cindy Su was one of thousands of gay marriage supporters gathered outside parliament on Friday ahead of the debate. "We are just a group of people who want to live well on this land and who love each other," she told the crowd. But opponents warn that "forcefully" passing a gay marriage law will intensify tensions. "The cabinet's bill ignores the referendum results and that is unacceptable," said Lai Shyh-bao of the opposition Kuomintang party, who proposed one of the bills backed by conservatives.

Taiwan parliament to vote on Asia's first gay marriage bill

Australia&#39;s upper house senate on Wednesday passed a bill paving the way for the legalisation of gay marriage, rejecting a conservative push to broaden religious freedom protections.

The law is expected to pass through the lower house of parliament comfortably before Christmas after most lawmakers agreed to honour &quot;the will of Australians&quot; who voted in favour of same-sex marriage in a recent nationwide postal vote.

&quot;We are a part of an act of acceptance, an act of inclusion, an act of respect, an act of celebration, a day when this Senate declares our acceptance of our LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex, queer) brothers and our sisters,&quot; said Australia&#39;s highest-profile gay politician, Labor&#39;s Penny Wong.

&quot;(The bill) says to so many Australians, this parliament, this country, accepts you for who you are. Your love is not lesser, and nor are you,&quot; she added.

Senators voted 43-12 in favour of the bill after rejecting calls to extend protections that allow religious ministers to refuse to conduct gay weddings to other services providers, such as bakers and florists.

After more than a decade of divisive debate, Australians have emphatically endorsed same-sex marriage with 62 percent of the 12.7 million people who participated in the nationwide postal poll voting &quot;yes&quot; this month to gay unions.

&quot;This victory is the culmination of more than a decade&#39;s work by supporters of equality,&quot; said Anna Brown of the Equality Campaign.

&quot;Each and every person who has campaigned for equality, each Australian who stood up and voted yes, and, today, every senator from every political party who voted in favour of equality and fairness.&quot;

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a moderate conservative who backed the &quot;yes&quot; camp, has hailed the result of the non-binding postal vote, vowing to pass the bill legalising marriage equality &quot;before Christmas&quot;. 
&nbsp;

Senators voted 43-12 in favour of the bill after rejecting calls to extend protections that allow religious ministers to refuse to conduct gay weddings

Australia's upper house senate on Wednesday passed a bill paving the way for the legalisation of gay marriage, rejecting a conservative push to broaden religious freedom protections. The law is expected to pass through the lower house of parliament comfortably before Christmas after most lawmakers agreed to honour "the will of Australians" who voted in favour of same-sex marriage in a recent nationwide postal vote. "We are a part of an act of acceptance, an act of inclusion, an act of respect, an act of celebration, a day when this Senate declares our acceptance of our LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex, queer) brothers and our sisters," said Australia's highest-profile gay politician, Labor's Penny Wong. "(The bill) says to so many Australians, this parliament, this country, accepts you for who you are. Your love is not lesser, and nor are you," she added. Senators voted 43-12 in favour of the bill after rejecting calls to extend protections that allow religious ministers to refuse to conduct gay weddings to other services providers, such as bakers and florists. After more than a decade of divisive debate, Australians have emphatically endorsed same-sex marriage with 62 percent of the 12.7 million people who participated in the nationwide postal poll voting "yes" this month to gay unions. "This victory is the culmination of more than a decade's work by supporters of equality," said Anna Brown of the Equality Campaign. "Each and every person who has campaigned for equality, each Australian who stood up and voted yes, and, today, every senator from every political party who voted in favour of equality and fairness." Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a moderate conservative who backed the "yes" camp, has hailed the result of the non-binding postal vote, vowing to pass the bill legalising marriage equality "before Christmas".

Australian Senate passes gay marriage bill in key step