TAIPEI 17 May (ANA) - Taiwan's parliament has become the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage following a vote on Friday.

 

In 2017, the island's constitutional court ruled that same-sex couples had the right to legally marry.

 

Parliament was given a two-year deadline and was required to pass the changes by 24 May.

 

Lawmakers debated three different bills to legalise same-sex unions and the government's bill, the most progressive of the three, was passed.

 

Hundreds of gay rights supporters gathered in the rain outside the parliament building in the capital, Taipei, to await the landmark ruling.

 

There were shouts of joy and some tearful embraces as the result was announced.

 

However, conservative opponents were angered by the vote.

 

The two other bills, submitted by conservative lawmakers, refer to partnerships as "same-sex family relationships" or "same-sex unions" rather than "marriages".

 

But the government's bill, also the only one to offer limited adoption rights, was passed by 66 to 27 votes - backed by lawmakers from the majority Democratic Progressive Party.

 

It will take effect after Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen passes it into law.

 

Several same-sex activists had said ahead of the vote that this was the only version they would accept.

 

"The fight for equality does not stop here. We will continue to fight against discrimination, bullying and defend gender equality education", Jennifer Lu, chief co-ordinator of rights group Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan, told Reuters news agency.(ANA)

FA/ANA/17 May 2019-------