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Taiwan could become first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage following suicide of prominent gay professor | Taiwan could become first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage following suicide of prominent gay professor |
(35 minutes later) | |
Taiwan is poised to become the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage after the death of a prominent gay professor. | Taiwan is poised to become the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage after the death of a prominent gay professor. |
The country is already regarded as one of the most progressive in the region when it comes to equal rights and there is already some legal recognition of same-sex relationships. | |
But the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has now introduced a bill to formally recognise same-sex marriage, following an outcry over the apparent suicide of French-born professor Jacques Picoux on 16 October. | But the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has now introduced a bill to formally recognise same-sex marriage, following an outcry over the apparent suicide of French-born professor Jacques Picoux on 16 October. |
His partner of nearly 40 years, Tseng Ching-chao, died of cancer last year and friends said Professor Picoux had been devastated that he was denied the right to make medical decisions on his behalf in his last moments. | His partner of nearly 40 years, Tseng Ching-chao, died of cancer last year and friends said Professor Picoux had been devastated that he was denied the right to make medical decisions on his behalf in his last moments. |
He also discovered later that he had no legal rights to the property they had shared, Pink News reported. | He also discovered later that he had no legal rights to the property they had shared, Pink News reported. |
Following his death, LGBT groups in Taiwan demanded a change to the law with the Taiwan LGBT hotline saying: “How many more human lives do we have to lose as a result of the government’s gross negligence?”. | Following his death, LGBT groups in Taiwan demanded a change to the law with the Taiwan LGBT hotline saying: “How many more human lives do we have to lose as a result of the government’s gross negligence?”. |
Pride Watch Taiwan called Professor Picoux’s death a “pivotal moment” for the gay rights movement. | |
Activist Cindy Su told the Guardian: “We actually can see that there are about 66 legislators who will probably vote yes on marriage equality. | Activist Cindy Su told the Guardian: “We actually can see that there are about 66 legislators who will probably vote yes on marriage equality. |
“That’s a majority of 58.4 per cent, the first time in Taiwanese history that we have more than half.” | “That’s a majority of 58.4 per cent, the first time in Taiwanese history that we have more than half.” |
The DPP politician who drafted the law, Yu Mei-nu, said the story had “touched people” and the LGBT community was “very angry”. | The DPP politician who drafted the law, Yu Mei-nu, said the story had “touched people” and the LGBT community was “very angry”. |
She said: “While many local governments accept household registrations from same-sex couples, it is just an executive measure that does not give them full legal rights. | She said: “While many local governments accept household registrations from same-sex couples, it is just an executive measure that does not give them full legal rights. |
“This time we want an overall rule added: Gays and heterosexuals will have the right to equally enjoy the benefits of marriage, including parental authority over children and freedom from discrimination in adoption cases.” | “This time we want an overall rule added: Gays and heterosexuals will have the right to equally enjoy the benefits of marriage, including parental authority over children and freedom from discrimination in adoption cases.” |
“There is also a need for a partnership law, but it should apply equally to heterosexuals and gay people.” | “There is also a need for a partnership law, but it should apply equally to heterosexuals and gay people.” |
The bill will change the definition of marriage to specify that it is between two people rather than the existing stipulation that it is between a man and a woman. | The bill will change the definition of marriage to specify that it is between two people rather than the existing stipulation that it is between a man and a woman. |
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