Taiwan same-sex vote: Polls open in elections

13:32, 24.11.2018

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

The top court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, giving parliament two years to amend laws or pass new ones. But surveys last week suggest the island will vote against the change, BBC reports.

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.

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