#chichiawei

“I’m leaping with joy like a bird.” – Chi Chia-wei responds to Taiwan’s top court striking as unconstitutional the country’s ban on same-sex marriage
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Picture: Chi Chia-Wei leads a rally for same-sex marriage, Taipei, Taiwan, November 2003. Photo by Sam Yeh, c/o @gettyimages.
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Earlier today, Taiwan’s constitutional court ruled the country’s Civil Code, which provides that an agreement to marry can only be made between a man and a woman, violates the constitutional guarantees of freedom of marriage and people’s equality. The decision by the country’s top court gives Taiwan’s parliament two years to change the code and implement the ruling; if lawmakers fail to do so, same-sex marriage automatically will become available.
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The decision puts Taiwan on track to become the first country in Asia to recognize marriage equality.
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Chi Chia-wei, who has for decades been one of Taiwan’s most visible queer activists, brought the marriage case two years ago. “It’s been a long fight,” he said, “and I’m in need of a good sleep.” #lgbthistory #HavePrideInHistory #ChiChiaWei #Resist (at Taipei, Taiwan)