Taiwan’s top court rules in favour of gay marriage

TAIPEI: Taiwan’s top court ruled in favour of gay marriage on Wednesday, a landmark decision that paves the way for the island to become the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.

Crowds of supporters cheered, hugged and wept as the court said current laws preventing the practice "violated" the constitution’s guarantees of freedom of marriage and equality. It gave the government two years to implement the ruling. Momentum has been growing behind the push for equal marriage rights, with Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen openly supporting the campaign.

But there has also been anger among conservative groups, who have staged mass rallies against any change in the law. The constitutional court said if parliament does not make the change within two years, samesex couples could register to marry regardless, based on its interpretation. Currently Taiwan’s Civil Code stipulates an agreement to marry can only be made between a man and a woman.

"The current provisions of the marriage chapter do not allow two persons of the same sex to create a permanent union of an intimate and exclusive nature for the committed purpose of managing a life together. This is obviously a gross legislative flaw," the court said in a statement. The decision to allow gay marriage would bolster social stability and protect "human dignity" it added.

Hundreds of gay marriage supporters gathered outside parliament in central Taipei erupted at the news, some breaking down in tears.