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SCMP

On this day in 2019, Taiwan legalised same-sex marriage – a landmark ruling that made it the first place in Asia to do so. In these newspaper clippings and pictures, we look at the Post’s coverage of the momentous occasion.





A week later on May 24, 2019, the law came into effect. Couples arrived in government offices early in the morning to be among Asia’s first legally recognised gay weddings and a mass banquet was held in front of Taipei’s Presidential Palace.







Australia’s Linda McGill makes first swim around Hong Kong Island in 1976 – from the SCMP archive

In pictures: crossing the Hong Kong-mainland China border through the decades

In 1961, Typhoon Alice claims 4 lives in Hong Kong – SCMP archive

Hong Kong’s HK$690 million Central Library opens in Causeway Bay in 2001 – SCMP archive

From our archives

Taiwan is first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage after landmark 2019 ruling – from the SCMP archive

Couples Shane Lin (right) and Marc Yuan, and Cynical Chick (left) and Li Ying-Chien, kiss after registering for marriage at the Household Registration Office in Taipei, Taiwan on May 24, 2019. Photo: Reuters

A clipping from the front page of the Post on May 18, 2019. Photo: SCMP

Same-sex marriage supporters gather outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, Taiwan on May 17, 2019. The signs read ‘’Vote Can’t Be Defeated’’. Photo: AP

The day the law was being voted on, nearly 300 gay and lesbian couples applied to register for legal union on the day the bill was to come into effect. Photo: EPA-EFE

Same-sex marriage supporters pose for a photo during a parliament vote on three draft bills of a same-sex marriage law on May 17, 2019. Photo: Reuters

A couple kisses as they celebrate after Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Photo: Reuters

A clipping from the Post on May 25, 2019. Photo: SCMP

Shane Lin (centre) is comforted by his partner Marc Yuan (right) and a friend during a wedding ceremony in Shinyi district in Taipei on May 24, 2019. Photo: AFP

Gay newlyweds walk on a giant rainbow flag at a pro-same-sex marriage party after registering their marriage in Taipei on May 24, 2019. Photo: Reuters

Taiwan made history on May 24, 2019, with Asia’s first legal gay weddings as same-sex couples tied the knot in jubilant and emotional scenes, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality. Photo: AFP

A gay couple poses for photographs during a mass wedding banquet in front of the Presidential Palace in Taipei on May 25, 2019. Photo: AFP

Thailand passes bill to legalise same-sex marriage, ‘return rights’ to LGBTQ groups

A same-sex couple participates in a pride march through central Bangkok on June 4, 2023. Photo: Shutterstock 

LGBTQ activists and supporters in Bangkok rejoice after the initial passing of the Marriage Equality Bill on June 15, 2022. File photo: AFP 

People march at a pride parade in Bangkok on June 4, 2023. Photo: Shutterstock 

Hong Kong’s Avenue of Stars has star-studded opening in 2004 with Jet Li, Sammo Hung in attendance – from the SCMP archive

Locals and tourists wander along the 440-metre Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui on April 28, 2004. Photo: Martin Chan

International movie star Jet Li was among the big names who attended the opening ceremony on April 27, 2004. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Actor and martial artist Sammo Hung poses in front of his handprint during the Avenue of Stars launching ceremony. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

A visitor examines autographs and handprints. Photo: Martin Chan

Locals and tourists wander along the 440-metre Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui on April 28, 2004. Photo: Martin Chan 

Nepal’s first same-sex married couple vows to continue fight for gay rights

Ram Bahadur (Maya) Gurung, 36, who was born male but identifies as female, and Surendra Pandey, 26, who was born and identifies as male, at their press conference after they registered Nepal’s first same-sex marriage. Photo: Reuters

Ram Bahadur Gurung (left) and Surendra Pandey speak with the media outside the Kathmandu District Court. Photo: Reuters

News

China

On this day five years ago, Taiwan lawmakers voted in favour of recognising same-sex unions
A week later, the law came into effect as Asia’s first legal gay weddings were officiated


On this day five years ago, Taiwan lawmakers voted in favour of recognising same-sex unions, making it the first place in Asia to do so.


LGBTQ

LGBTQ in China

Human rights

Taiwan

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}On this day five years ago, Taiwan lawmakers voted in favour of recognising same-sex unions A week later, the law came into effect as Asia’s first legal gay weddings were officiated

On this day five years ago, Taiwan lawmakers voted in favour of recognising same-sex unions

A week later, the law came into effect as Asia’s first legal gay weddings were officiated