Taiwan to be first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage

A court ruling in Taiwan this week could make the island the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, in a decision that would give activists around the region hope for equality.

A panel of grand justices will announce its verdict on Wednesday in a landmark case that centres on whether Taiwan’s current law on the issue is unconstitutional. Campaigners are nervous, but optimistic after years of court appeals and lack of progress in parliament. For one man, the battle has lasted decades. “I feel 100 per cent confident about a positive outcome,” said Chi Chia-wei, 59, one of two petitioners.