Same-sex marriage in Taiwan

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Taiwan since May 24, 2019. This made Taiwan the first country in Asia to allow such unions.

In 2017, the Constitutional Court decided that not allowing same-sex marriages was unfair and against the Taiwanese Constitution. This decision meant that same-sex couples had the right to marry.

In 2018, people in Taiwan voted in special votes to try to stop same-sex marriage. But the government decided not to change the main marriage law. Instead, they made a new law just for same-sex couples. This law was passed and signed by President Tsai Ing-wen in May 2019, and it became official on May 24, 2019.

By 2023, same-sex couples in Taiwan were also allowed to adopt children. In 2024, couples from places on the other side of the strait could also get married, but they had to follow the same rules as other couples.

Partnership registration

Same-sex couples in Taiwan can register their relationship through a special "partnership registration" in 18 cities and counties. This includes most of the country's population. However, these partnerships do not give couples all the rights that married couples have. They do allow partners to make certain decisions for each other, like giving consent for medical surgery, and taking parental leave.

In 2015 and 2016, many cities and counties in Taiwan began allowing same-sex couples to register their partnerships. By 2017, most areas had started to offer this service. After same-sex marriage became legal in Taiwan in 2019, partnership registration was no longer needed for local couples, but it remained an option for some foreign couples until it was later phased out.

Same-sex marriage

In 2003, the government wanted to change the law to let same-sex couples marry, but many lawmakers disagreed, so it didn’t happen. In 2012, two women had a special ceremony to celebrate their partnership. Later that year, a leader spoke about supporting equal rights for everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2017, an important court decided that not allowing same-sex couples to marry was unfair. They said the law needed to change so everyone could marry the person they loved, no matter their gender. Because of this, same-sex couples could officially get married by May 2019.

In 2019, the government made a new law that let same-sex couples form a permanent partnership and have many of the same rights as married couples. This law was signed on May 24, 2019, making Taiwan the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage.

Since then, more changes have been made to help same-sex couples, like allowing them to adopt children together. Some rights, like certain medical treatments, are still being worked on to make sure everyone is treated fairly.

Statistics

Partnerships

By April 2016, more than 500 couples who loved each other the same way had registered their partnerships in the country, mostly in Taipei.

According to statistics published by the Ministry of the Interior, many partnerships were registered each year. In May 2020, there were fewer active partnerships because many couples chose to marry instead.

Marriage

On May 24, 2019, the first day it was legally allowed, 526 couples who loved each other the same way got married. Some were couples of two men, and some were couples of two women. New Taipei City had the most marriages, followed by Taipei and Kaohsiung.

By June 23, 2019, over 1,000 couples who loved each other the same way had married in Taiwan. Couples came from many places, including Taichung, Taoyuan, Tainan, and others.

By May 23, 2020, almost one year after it became legal, 4,021 couples had married in Taiwan. Most of these marriages were between two women. Some marriages were between people from Taiwan and another country, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.

On October 30, 2020, two couples who loved each other the same way were part of a big wedding event at the Ministry of National Defense.

Indigenous Taiwanese

There are no records of same-sex marriage as known in Western cultures in Indigenous Taiwanese cultures. However, some behaviors and identities among the Paiwan people might relate to what we today call the LGBT community. The Paiwan people used a word called adju among female friends. Today, adju is linked to gender diversity in their community.

Many Indigenous Taiwanese people became Christian in the 1940s and 1950s. Christianity has been very important in their villages and has influenced views, including opposition to same-sex marriage. Some Christian groups, like the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, have been active in these discussions.

Public opinion

A poll in April 2006 showed that many Taiwanese adults thought same-sex relationships were okay. In August 2013, more than half of people supported same-sex marriage. Younger people showed the most support.

Support for same-sex marriage has changed over time. In 2015, most people were in favor. By May 2023, support had risen. In 2024, many people supported same-sex marriage, and most thought same-sex couples should have the right to adopt children.

Support is generally higher among younger people, women, and those who are not religious. Overall, opinions in Taiwan have shifted to more acceptance over the years.