SHOWING THE WAY

Photos: Thousands in Taiwan call on their government to be the first in Asia to legalize gay marriage

Rainbow island.
Rainbow island.
Image: EPA/RItchie B. Tongo
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As Taiwan enters the final stage of a debate over whether to legalize same-sex marriage, supporters of the move have made a final push to convince Taiwan’s lawmakers to pass the relevant legislation.

On Saturday (Dec. 10), supporters of LGBT rights gathered at Ketagalan Boulevard, the main artery around the presidential office. Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, or parliament, is due to review same-sex marriage proposals on Dec. 26, after months of protests by both supporters and opponents as well as public hearings on the move. Organizers estimated that as many as 250,000 people participated, though police estimates were much lower.

If the proposal passes, Taiwan, seen as one of the most progressive places in Asia, could be the first in the region to legalize same-sex marriage. It already hosts the largest gay pride parade in Asia. But the proposal for same-sex marriage faces tough resistance from conservative groups in Taiwan, such as Christians, who argue that doing so harms traditional family values. Opponents of same-sex marriage have also staged their own large-scale protests in recent weeks.

A protester at a rally supporting a proposal to allow same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 10, 2016.
A protester at a rally supporting a proposal to allow same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 10, 2016.
Image: AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying
Thousands of supporters from the LGBT community gather to support the legalizing of same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, 10 December 2016.
Thousands of supporters from the LGBT community gather to support the legalizing of same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, 10 December 2016.
Image: EPA/Ritchie B. Tongo
A supporter of LGBT and human rights holds a rainbow flag with a Taiwan map during a rally supporting a proposal to allow same-sex marriage, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016.
A supporter of LGBT and human rights holds a rainbow flag with a Taiwan map during a rally supporting a proposal to allow same-sex marriage, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016.
Image: AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying
A couple kiss and hold a marriage certificate during a rally supporting a proposal to allow same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 10, 2016.
A couple kiss and hold a marriage certificate during a rally supporting a proposal to allow same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 10, 2016.
Image: AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying
Supporters of same-sex marriage take part in a rally outside the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, Taiwan December 10, 2016.
Supporters of same-sex marriage take part in a rally outside the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, Taiwan December 10, 2016.
Image: Reuters/Fabian Hamacher
LGBT rights supporters gather to support the legalizing of same-sex marriage at a major street in Taipei, Taiwan, 10 December 2016.
LGBT rights supporters gather to support the legalizing of same-sex marriage at a major street in Taipei, Taiwan, 10 December 2016.
Image: EPA/Ritchie B. Tongo
A supporter of same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, 10 December 2016.
A supporter of same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, 10 December 2016.
Image: EPA/Ritchie B. Tongo
A supporter of LGBT rights wears rainbow glasses during a rally to support a proposal to allow same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 10, 2016.
A supporter of LGBT rights wears rainbow glasses during a rally to support a proposal to allow same-sex marriage in Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 10, 2016.
Image: AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying