Taiwan is voting in a referendum on whether to become the first place in Asia to legalise gay marriage.

The top court ruled in favour of same-sex marriage, giving parliament two years to amend laws or pass new ones.

But surveys last week suggest the country will vote against the change.

The issue is one of 10 voters are being asked to consider, including one inflaming tensions with China: how they want to be called at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Taiwan or Chinese Taipei.

Currently, Taiwan competes as Chinese Taipei, the name agreed with China in the 1980s.

This is because Taiwan's status is sensitive. The island has been self-ruling since 1949 but China regards it as a breakaway province it will reunite with one day.

The referendums are running alongside local elections. Results are expected late on Saturday.

The issue is actually the subject of two separate referendums on Saturday, which have been put forward by rival groups.

Conservative groups have asked whether marriage should be legally defined as between a man and a woman, while LGBT activists have put forward one for equal marriage rights.
The two sides have also put other issues to voters, including rival questions on education around LGBT issues in schools.

According to a survey carried out by the Taiwan Public Opinions Foundation, 77% of respondents believe marriage should be legally defined as between a man and a woman.

Source: BBC

BDST: 0930 HRS, NOV 24, 2018
SI