Taiwan’s first female president supports same sex marriage
By Ben Kelly
Taiwan has elected its first female president this Saturday, and she has vocally expressed her support for same sex marriage.
59 year old Tsai Ing-wen, of the Democratic Progressive Party, won the election with 56% of over 13 million votes.
In a campaign video released in October, Tsai said, “I am Tsai Ing-wen, and I support marriage equality. Let everyone be able to freely love and pursue happiness.”
Currently there are no countries in Asia who recognise same sex marriage, but with this change in Taiwan, there is a potential for this country of 23 million citizens to be the first.
LGBT rights in Taiwan are some of the most progressive on the continent, with all same sex activity being legal. However, same sex couples are not yet eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite sex couples.
Tsai also supports Taiwanese independence from China, who currently count the country as part of their Republic. She also ran for president in 2012, finishing in second place.
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