Taiwan has unveiled Asia’s first draft law on Thursday to allow same-sex marriage, but the bill was criticized by the conservative groups and rights activists amidst a heated debate on marriage equality.
According to Reuters news reports, voters have opposed marriage equality in the series of referendums in last year, describing marriage as between a woman and a man, and further asking for special legislation to be enacted for the same-sex marriage.
Taiwan’s draft law, which was unveiled by the cabinet on Thursday would provide a same-sex couple with a similar legal protections for their marriage as heterosexuals, but the marriage in the civil law would still remain defined as between a woman and a man.
Premier Su Tseng-chang said the legislation respected all the referendum results, although the activists have said separate legislation for the gay marriages was discriminatory.
In a statement, Su said, “Controversies are expected about the proposal, but I really hope our homosexual friends can wait a bit longer.”
He added saying, “This might fall short of expectations, but after all, it’s a start.”
Coordinator of marriage equality coalition Taiwan Jennifer Lu said the draft did not provide any complete legal protections to the same-sex couples. She also acknowledged the pressure over the Taiwan government from all the sides, but however, said activists will continue to fight for equal rights.
By late May, the parliament of Taiwan is expected to hold a voting session on the draft bill, a deadline for legislation which was set by the constitutional court in 2017 when it had ruled out that same-sex couples had the right to legally marry.
Conservative groups that opposed same-sex marriage during the referendum said they will fight the draft bill too. The Coalition for the Happiness of Our Next Generation on Thursday called the draft “unacceptable”.