The Interior Ministry says transnational marriage is now legalized in Taiwan. The announcement to local governments was made on Thursday. This announcement also came after Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) announced his resignation.
Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage four years ago. However, the law prohibits same-sex marriage registration if a partner is from a country or jurisdiction where same-sex marriage is not legalized.
Since 2019, local NGO Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCR) has filed lawsuits representing transnational same-sex couples. Five court rulings ended up letting transnational couples register by deciding the law that was barring the couples from registering is illegal.
The new law is set to take effect in 2024. This change, however, still excludes Taiwan-mainland Chinese couples. Same-sex marriage for Taiwan-mainland Chinese couples continue to remain contentious due to some concerns that China may use this route as a way of infiltrating Taiwan.
Democratic Progressive Party legislator Fan Yun (范雲) says this decision shows Taiwan nonetheless values human rights and is further advancing gender equality.