Same-Sex Marriage: How is Australia faring in the region?

With the results of Australia’s postal survey set to be announced on November 15, it’s a good time to pause and consider how Australia compares against other countries in the Asia Pacific on the recognition of same-sex marriage.

A rainbow flag in support of a Yes vote in the marriage equality postal survey is seen on a fence in Sydney's inner west, Tuesday, October 3, 2017. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING

A rainbow flag in support of a Yes vote in the marriage equality postal survey in Sydney. Tuesday, October 3, 2017. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

New Zealand (Marriage allowed 17 April 2013)

The New Zealand Parliament held parliamentary vote which succeeded by a margin of 77 – 44. New Zealand was the

first Asia Pacific country

to legalise same-sex marriage. The

NZ Parliament

burst into applause, and then song, after the vote succeeded, with the politicians and public gallery rising to their feet. This legislation was crucially supported by the country’s conservative then-Prime Minister, John Key.

Taiwan (marriage must be allowed by 2019)

The Taiwanese

Supreme Court

ruled that Taiwan must allow same-sex marriage by 2019. If the parliament fails to allow it, same-sex couples will be able to register civil unions by order of the Court. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen openly supported same-sex marriage in the campaign that led to her election.

Nepal

In 2007, the Nepalese

Supreme Court

ruled in favour of allowing same-sex marriage, but there has not been parliamentary will or movement on the issue so far. Since that time, a committee of experts has been formed in order to review the options. Nepal is

one of the most

LGBTIQ+ friendly countries in the Asia Pacific. Earlier this year, Nepal registered a

transgender marriage

External territories

External territories of other countries within the Asia Pacific also allow same-sex marriage, some of these include, New Caledonia (France 2013), Guam (USA - 2015), and the Pitcairn Islands (UK - 2013).

Civil Unions

Civil Unions are allowed in New Zealand and in Japan, in the

Shibuya district

(2015) and

Sapporo

(2017).

Australians in the Australian Capital Territory can avail themselves of a

civil union

, after the High Court previously

struck out

other ACT legislation allowing them in 2013. The other states, apart from Western Australia and the Northern Territory have various formulations of recorded and/or registered relationships, with various degrees of enforceable rights that come from them.

Campaigns and legal battles are also underway in a number of other countries, particularly

Thailand

South Korea

and

Philippines

Australia may soon join the

25 countries

that have legalised same-sex marriage, and be the second in the Asia Pacific region to take this step.

This debate is not just about marriage, but equality before the law.

2 min read

Published 26 October 2017 11:55am

Updated 26 October 2017 12:01pm