Taiwan’s Constitutional Court ruled in support of legalizing same-sex marriage Wednesday. It marked the first such ruling in Asia. Rights activists celebrated the court’s decision. It followed years of campaigning by supporters of gay rights. The court said current marriage laws were “in violation of both the people’s freedom of marriage...and the people’s right to equality.” Taiwanese officials now have two years to make legal amendments to permit same-sex marriage, the court said. After the court’s ruling, hundreds celebrated in the center of Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. They flew rainbow-colored flags and shouted in support of gay marriage. Jamie, who did not want to give his last name, has been with his partner for 22 years. He said the ruling was an important moment for Taiwanese society. “I am so touched. Finally we’ve reached this moment. This represents Taiwan’s human rights. This is a step forward in human rights,” he said. Jay Lin is director of the Taiwan International Queer Film Festival, and a father of two. He said parents in same-sex relationships, in his words, “need this law even earlier, even faster.” The ruling Democratic Party, which swept national elections last year, supports the change. Legislators will now work on a bill to enforce the court’s ruling. Both the ruling and major opposition parties in the legislature support the legalization of same-sex marriage. So does President Tsai Ing-win, Taiwan’s first female leader. Public opinion studies show a majority of Taiwanese support making same-sex marriage legal. Gays and lesbians in Taiwan have formed an effective lobby in recent years. Tens of thousands of people attend Taiwan’s yearly Gay Pride parade. Some conservative religious and social groups continue to push against gay rights. However, the influence of such groups is less strong than in the United States and other parts of the world. Twenty-two of the world’s nearly 200 countries have legalized same-sex marriage. In Asia, Taiwan is the first government to legalize such unions, while South Africa is the only country in Africa to permit them. More than 70 countries continue to criminalize homosexual acts. I'm Ashley Thompson. The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English, with additional materials from Reuters. Caty Weaver was the editor. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story rainbow -n. a curved line of different colors that sometimes appears in the sky when the sun shines through rain shout - v. to say (something) very loudly touched - adj. having emotional feelings because you are grateful or pleased by what someone has done or said sweep - v. to win everything that can be won in (something, such as an election) in an easy or impressive way lobby - n. an organized group of people who work together to influence government decisions that relate to a particular industry, issue, etc. homosexual - adj. based on or showing a sexual attraction to people of the same sex
from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2qXNZjC
via IFTTT
الاشتراك في:
تعليقات الرسالة (Atom)
المشاركات الشائعة
-
As President of the United States, Donald Trump shakes a lot of hands. But look out. If you shake Trump’s hand, you might get pulled off y...
-
Even in the world of medicine, what is old is new again. Thousands of years ago, Egyptians used it to sterilize drinking water. Ancient Roma...
-
00:00:02 OPRAH WINFREY: "Hattie Mae, this child is gifted," and I heard that enough that I started to believe it. 00:00:08 ...
-
Pyongyang University of Science and Technology is North Korea’s first privately funded university. It opened in 2010. But, the head of the s...
-
An unpublished United Nations report says that North Korea sent materials that could be used in chemical weapons to Syria and missile techno...
-
The first-ever direct China-to-Britain freight train arrived in London last week. It was the latest evidence of China’s efforts to redevel...
-
The government of Zimbabwe is denying a report that President Robert Mugabe has suffered a heart attack. Presidential spokesman George Chara...
-
Zimbabwe wants small business to be able to get credit to start or grow a business. If the country’s Parliament approves a bill proposed l...
-
United Nations’ economic restrictions ordered against North Korea in March have produced mixed results. Prices for goods in North Korea ha...
-
North Korea has increased efforts in recent years to prevent outside information from entering the country. But international activists say ...
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق