Recognition Of Same-sex Unions In Asia

Debate has occurred throughout Asia over proposals to legalize same-sex marriage as well as civil unions.

Following a Constitutional Court ruling and a subsequent legislative act, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide on 24 May 2019. In addition, Israel recognises same-sex marriages validly performed abroad, and same-sex marriages are legal in the UK sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Israel recognises unregistered cohabitation for same-sex couples. Several cities in Cambodia provide same-sex couples with some limited rights and benefits, including hospital visitation rights. Some cities in Japan issue certificates for same-sex couples, however they are entirely symbolic. In Hong Kong, the same-sex partners of residents can receive spousal visas and spousal benefits.

Current situation

National level

Sub-national level

Partially-recognized and unrecognized states

Future legislation

Marriage

Government proposals or proposals with a parliamentary majority

Thailand: In February 2022, by a vote of 219–118, the House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow same-sex marriage but sent it to Cabinet for a 60-day study. On 15 June 2022, the House of Representatives passed the first reading of the Move Forward party's Marriage Equality Bill by 212 votes to 180 votes, with 12 abstentions and 4 no votes.

Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority

India: India does not have a codified civil marriage code. A draft of a Uniform Civil Code that would legalise same-sex marriage was proposed in 2017. There are also several same-sex marriage petitions pending in the courts. An opposition NCP MP introduced a bill to legalize same-sex marriages under the Special Marriages Act on 1 April 2022.

Non-marital partnership

Government proposals or proposals with a parliamentary majority

Thailand: In 2022, a group of bills concerning same-sex unions passed their first readings in the Thai parliament. These include the government-proposed Civil Partnership Bill, which would introduce civil partnerships as a separate category, granting some but not all rights given to married couples.

Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority

Philippines: In 2022, two same-sex civil union bills have been proposed to the Philippine Congress. The first bill, named the "Civil Partnership Act", was proposed by Bagong Henerasyon party-list representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy in July 2022. This bill would provide recognition of same-sex couples in the Philippines and grant them the same benefits and protections as opposite-sex married couples on a national level. This bill was also proposed in previous Congresses, but did not pass. In August 2022, Muslim senator Robin Padilla proposed a similar bill named the "Civil Unions Act", which would provide benefits and protections for same-sex couples similar to Herrera-Dy's, as well as inheritance rights, adoption rights, and other privileges granted to married couples.

Public opinion

In 2019, a survey by ''The Economist'' found that 45% of respondents in the Asia-Pacific region believed same-sex marriage is inevitable in the region, with 31% of respondents disagreeing. Also, three-quarters of those surveyed reported a more open climate for LGBT rights compared to three years ago. Of those reporting an improving climate for LGBT people, 38% cited a change in policies or laws, while 36% said coverage of LGBT issues in mainstream media was a major factor. The top reason cited for diminishing openness was anti-LGBT advocacy by religious institutions.

See also

* LGBT rights in Asia
* Recognition of same-sex unions in Africa
* Recognition of same-sex unions in the Americas
* Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe
* Recognition of same-sex unions in Oceania

Notes

References

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Asia