Recognition of same-sex unions in Asia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Same-sex sexual activity legal
Marriage performed
Marriage recognized
Other type of partnership
Legal guardianships or unregistered cohabitation
Limited foreign recognition (residency rights)
No recognition of same-sex couples
Restrictions on freedom of expression, not enforced
Severe restrictions of association with arrests or detention
Same-sex sexual activity illegal Prison, not enforced
Prison
Death penalty on books, not enforced
Enforced death penalty
Debate has occurred throughout Asia over proposals to legalize same-sex marriage as well as civil unions.
Following a Constitutional Court ruling and a subsequent legislative act, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide on 24 May 2019,[1] followed by Thailand on 23 January 2025.[2]
In addition, Israel recognises same-sex marriages performed abroad, though not as full marriage, and same-sex marriages are legal in the UK sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the British Indian Ocean Territory.
Israel also recognises unregistered cohabitation for same-sex couples.[3] Some cities in Cambodia provide same-sex couples with some limited rights and benefits, including hospital visitation rights.[4] [5] Several prefectures in Japan issue partnership certificates for same-sex couples.[6] [7] [8] In Hong Kong, the same-sex partners of residents can receive spousal visas and spousal benefits.[9] [10]
Current situation
[edit ]National level
[edit ]| Status | Country | Legal since | Country population (Last Census count) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage (2 countries) |
Taiwan Taiwan | 2019 | 23,400,220 |
| Thailand Thailand | 2025 | 65,932,105 | |
| Subtotal | — | — | 89,332,325 (1.9% of the Asian population) |
| Civil union (1 country) |
Cyprus Cyprus | 2015 | 1,117,000 |
| Subtotal | — | — | 1,117,000 (0.05% of the Asian population) |
| Recognition of foreign marriage (1 country) |
Israel Israel | 2006 | 10,026,900 |
| Subtotal | — | — | 10,026,900 (0.1% of the Asian population) |
| Temporary marriage-like union (1 country) |
Nepal Nepal | 2024 | 29,164,578 |
| Subtotal | — | — | 29,164,578 (0.7% of the Asian population) |
| Total | — | — | 133,640,803 (2.75% of the Asian population) |
| No recognition (38 countries) * same-sex sexual activity illegal |
Afghanistan Afghanistan* | — | 31,575,018 |
| Azerbaijan Azerbaijan | — | 10,218,536 | |
| Bahrain Bahrain | — | 1,496,300 | |
| Bangladesh Bangladesh* | — | 165,159,000 | |
| Bhutan Bhutan | — | 727,145 | |
| Brunei Brunei* | — | 422,678 | |
| China China | — | 1,393,970,000 | |
| Timor-Leste East Timor | — | 1,261,407 | |
| India India | — | 1,402,737,000 | |
| Indonesia Indonesia | — | 265,015,300 | |
| Iran Iran* | — | 81,773,300 | |
| Iraq Iraq* | — | 39,339,753 | |
| Japan Japan | — | 126,490,000 | |
| Jordan Jordan | — | 10,235,500 | |
| Kazakhstan Kazakhstan | —it | 20,286,084 | |
| Kuwait Kuwait* | — | 4,226,920 | |
| Laos Laos | — | 6,961,210 | |
| Lebanon Lebanon | — | 6,093,509 | |
| Malaysia Malaysia* | — | 34,112,400 | |
| Maldives Maldives* | — | 378,114 | |
| Myanmar Myanmar* | — | 53,862,731 | |
| North Korea North Korea | — | 25,610,672 | |
| Oman Oman* | — | 4,633,752 | |
| Pakistan Pakistan* | — | 201,938,000 | |
| Philippines Philippines | — | 114,123,600 | |
| Qatar Qatar* | — | 2,450,285 | |
| Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia* | — | 33,413,660 | |
| Singapore Singapore | — | 6,036,900 | |
| South Korea South Korea | — | 51,207,874 | |
| Sri Lanka Sri Lanka* | — | 21,444,000 | |
| Syria Syria* | — | 24,672,760 | |
| Tajikistan Tajikistan | — | 8,931,000 | |
| Turkey Turkey | — | 85,664,944 | |
| Turkmenistan Turkmenistan* | — | 7,057,841 | |
| United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates* | — | 9,541,615 | |
| Uzbekistan Uzbekistan* | — | 32,653,900 | |
| Vietnam Vietnam | — | 100,309,209 | |
| Yemen Yemen* | — | 28,915,284 | |
| Subtotal | — | — | 4,385,382,645 (95.37% of the Asian population) |
| Constitutional ban on marriage (6 countries) |
Armenia Armenia | 2015 | 2,969,800 |
| Cambodia Cambodia | 1993 | 17,336,307 | |
| Georgia (country) Georgia | 2018 | 3,694,600 | |
| Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan | 2016 | 7,161,900 | |
| Mongolia Mongolia | 1992 | 3,504,741 | |
| Russia Russia | 2020 | 146,150,789 | |
| Subtotal | — | — | 179,180,789 (3.9% of the Asian population) |
| Total | — | — | 4,564,563,434 (97.25% of the Asian population) |
Sub-national level
[edit ]| Status | Country | Jurisdiction | Legal since | Jurisdiction population
(Last Census count) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage
(2 jurisdictions) |
United Kingdom United Kingdom | United Kingdom Akrotiri and Dhekelia | 2014 | 15,700 |
| British Indian Ocean Territory British Indian Ocean Territory | 2014 | 3,000 (military personnel only) | ||
| Total | 18,700 |
Partially-recognized and unrecognized states
[edit ]| Status | Country | Since | State population (Last estimate count) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No recognition (4 states) |
Abkhazia Abkhazia | — | 242,862 |
| Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus | 476,214 | ||
| Palestine Palestine [nb 1] | — | 4,780,978 | |
| South Ossetia South Ossetia | — | 53,532 | |
| Total | — | — | 5,390,998 (0.1% of the Asian population) |
Future legislation
[edit ]| Part of the LGBTQ rights series |
Recognized |
|
Civil unions or registered partnerships but not marriage |
|
See also
|
|
Notes
|
| LGBTQ portal |
Marriage
[edit ]Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority
[edit ]Japan: A bill was introduced by the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan in March 2023.[11]
Non-marital partnership
[edit ]Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority
[edit ]Philippines: In 2022, two same-sex civil union bills were proposed to the Philippine Congress. The first bill, named the "Civil Partnership Act", was proposed by Bagong Henerasyon party-list representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy in July 2022. This bill would provide recognition of same-sex couples in the Philippines and grant them the same benefits and protections as opposite-sex married couples on a national level. This bill was also proposed in previous Congresses, but did not pass.[12] In August 2022, senator Robin Padilla proposed a similar bill named the "Civil Unions Act", which would provide benefits and protections for same-sex couples similar to Herrera-Dy's, as well as inheritance rights, adoption rights, and other privileges granted to married couples.[13] In February 2023, Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez proposed a new Civil Partnership Bill, which allows both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership and enjoy equal rights and protection under the law[14]
Public opinion
[edit ] Indicates the country/territory has legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
Indicates that same-sex marriage rights are pending
Indicates that the country has civil unions or registered partnerships
Indicates that same-sex sexual activity is illegal
| Country or territory | Pollster | Year | For | Against | Neutral[a] | Margin of error |
Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia Armenia | Pew Research Center | 2015 | 3% | 96% | 1% | ±3% | [15] [16] |
| Cambodia Cambodia | Pew Research Center | 2023 | 57% | 42% | 1% | [17] | |
| China China | Ipsos | 2021 | 43% | 19% | - | [citation needed ] | |
| Georgia (country) Georgia | Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group | 2021 | 10% (12%) |
75% (88%) |
15% | [18] | |
| Hong Kong Hong Kong | Pew Research Center | 2023 | 58% | 40% | 2% | [17] | |
| India India | Pew Research Center | 2023 | 53% |
43% | 4% | ±3.6% | [19] |
| Indonesia Indonesia | Pew Research Center | 2023 | 5% | 92% | 3% | ±3.6% | [19] |
| Israel Israel | Pew Research Center | 2023 | 36% | 56% | 8% | ±3.6% | [19] |
| Japan Japan | Kyodo News | 2023 | 64% (72%) |
25% (28%) |
11% | [20] | |
| Asahi Shimbun | 2023 | 72% (80%) |
18% (20%) |
10% | [21] | ||
| Ipsos | 2023 | 38% | 40% [31% support some rights] |
22% not sure | ±3.5% | [22] | |
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 68% |
26% | 6% | ±2.75% | [17] | |
| Kazakhstan Kazakhstan | Pew Research Center | 2016 | 7% | 89% | 4% | - | [23] [16] |
| Malaysia Malaysia | Pew Research Center | 2023 | 17% | 82% | 1% | [17] | |
| Philippines Philippines | SWS | 2018 | 22% | 61% | 16% | [24] | |
| Russia Russia | Ipsos | 2021 | 17% | 52% | - | [citation needed ] | |
| Singapore Singapore | Ipsos | 2023 | 32% |
50% [23% support some rights] |
19% | ±3.5% | [22] |
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 45% | 51% | 4% | [17] | ||
| South Korea South Korea | Ipsos | 2023 | 35% |
42% [18% support some rights] |
23% not sure | ±3.5% | [22] |
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 41% | 56% | 3% | [17] | ||
| Sri Lanka Sri Lanka | Pew Research Center | 2023 | 23% | 69% | 8% | [17] | |
| Taiwan Taiwan | CNA | 2023 | 63% | 37% | [25] | ||
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 45% |
43% | 12% | [17] | ||
| Thailand Thailand | Ipsos | 2023 | 55% |
29% [18% support some rights] |
16% not sure | ±3.5% | [22] |
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 60% | 32% | 8% | [17] | ||
| Turkey Turkey | Ipsos | 2023 | 20% |
52% [22% support some rights] |
28% not sure | ±3.5% [b] | [22] |
| Vietnam Vietnam | Pew Research Center | 2023 | 65% | 30% | 5% | [17] |
In 2019, a survey by The Economist found that 45% of respondents in the Asia-Pacific region believed same-sex marriage is inevitable in the region, with 31% of respondents disagreeing. Also, three-quarters of those surveyed reported a more open climate for LGBT rights compared to three years ago. Of those reporting an improving climate for LGBT people, 38% cited a change in policies or laws, while 36% said coverage of LGBT issues in mainstream media was a major factor. The top reason cited for diminishing openness was anti-LGBT advocacy by religious institutions.[26] [27]
See also
[edit ]- LGBTQ rights in Asia
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Africa
- Recognition of same-sex unions in the Americas
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Oceania
Notes
[edit ]- ^ Same-sex sexual activity legal in the West Bank, but legal status in the Gaza Strip is unclear.
References
[edit ]- ^ "Taiwan's high court paves the way for same-sex marriage, a first in Asia". Los Angeles Times. 24 May 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ "Same-sex couples in Thailand speak of happiness before marriage equality law takes effect". AP News. 2025年01月20日. Retrieved 2025年01月22日.
- ^ Cohen v. Shushan, 212 So.3d 1113 (2017) ("Our decision upholds a fine — but very clear — distinction that has been set within Israel's marital law, one we must maintain out of respect to Israel's law-making authority. Because Ms. Shushan and the late Mr. Cohen's legal union was not entered into through any recognized religious authority, they were not married under Israeli law. Ms. Shushan, therefore, could not be a surviving spouse of Mr. Cohen").
- ^ Same-sex couples tie the knot in Cambodia in a stunning public ceremony, Gay Star News, 24 May 2018
- ^ "Rainbow Community Kampuchea: What we do?". Archived from the original on 2018年05月30日. Retrieved 2019年06月25日.
- ^ Williams, Joe (December 26, 2015). "Another Japanese city to recognise same-sex relationships". Pink News. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
- ^ Masanori, Hiuchi (1 March 2016). "City in Mie Prefecture to recognize same-sex partnerships in April". Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 2016年03月02日. Retrieved 2016年03月12日.
- ^ "3rd municipality in Japan starts issuing same-sex partnership papers". Japan Today. 3 April 2016.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ "Hong Kong's top court sides with gay civil servant in application for spousal benefit and tax assessment". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 2019年06月06日. Retrieved 2019年06月06日.
- ^ "Breakthrough for LGBT rights as Hong Kong to recognise same-sex partnerships in spousal visa applications". South China Morning Post. 18 September 2018.
- ^ "Japan opposition party submits bill for same-sex marriage".
- ^ Quismorio, Ellson (July 6, 2022). "Will proposed Civil Partnership Act prosper in 19th Congress? Herrera has fingers crossed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2024年11月04日.
- ^ Bordey, Hana (2022年08月11日). "Padilla wants same-sex unions institutionalized". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2024年11月04日.
- ^ https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195220
- ^ "Religious Belief and National Belonging in Central and Eastern Europe" (PDF). Pew. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
- ^ a b "Religious belief and national belonging in Central and Eastern Europe - Appendix A: Methodology". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage" . Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "წინარწმენიდან თანასწორობამდე (From Prejudice to Equality), part 2" (PDF). WISG. 2022.
- ^ a b c "How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage" . Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ Staff (February 13, 2023). "64% favor recognizing same-sex marriage in Japan: Kyodo poll". Kyodo News. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
- ^ Isoda, Kazuaki (February 21, 2023). "Survey: 72% of voters in favor of legalizing gay marriages". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e LGBT+ PRIDE 2023 GLOBAL SURVEY (PDF). Ipsos. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Being Christian in Western Europe" (PDF). Pew Research Center. p. 152. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "First Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey: 61% of Pinoys oppose, and 22% support, a law that will allow the civil union of two men or two women". 29 June 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- ^ Strong, Matthew (19 May 2023). "Support for gay marriage surges in Taiwan 4 years after legalization". Taiwan News. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ Glauert, Rik (2019年05月30日). "Survey finds 45% believe same-sex marriage inevtiable in Asia-Pacific". Gay Star News. Retrieved 2021年09月23日.
- ^ "Legalisation of same-sex marriage will inevitably spread across Asia-Pacific, say nearly half of respondents in new Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 2021年09月23日.
