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Voters in Taiwan have adopted a referendum demanding that marriage be limited to one man and one woman. A setback for LGBT couples hoping their island will be the first place in Asia to allow same-sex couples to share childcare and insurance benefits.
Saturday's vote, organized by Christian groups representing about 5% of the Taiwanese population and supporters of the traditional Chinese family structure, goes against the ruling of the Constitutional Court in May 2017. The judges then asked legislators to legalize same-sex marriage within two years, a first for Asia where religion and conservative governments normally maintain bans in force.
Although the voting initiative is only advisory, it should frustrate lawmakers aware of public opinion as the court deadline approaches next year. Many lawmakers will represent for 2020.
"The legislature has a lot of choices about how to make this court order effective," said Chen Ke, sponsor of the referendum, Catholic pastor in Taiwan and opponent of same-sex marriage.
The ruling party's legislators, backed by President Tsai Ing-wen, have proposed legalizing same-sex marriage in late 2016, but have put their ideas aside to wait for the hearing.
Opposition to same-sex marriage was accentuated after the court's decision. Opponents organized rallies and mobilized votes online.
Courts will continue to consider local marriage licensing offices in violation of the law by May 2019 when they refuse same-sex couples, said a spokesman for the ministry. of Justice last week.
"The referendum is a general study, it does not have very large legal implications," said Shiau Hong-chi, professor of gender studies and management of communication at Shih University -Hsin of Taiwan. "In one way or another, he must return to court."
Voters on Saturday approved a separate measure calling for a "different process" to protect same-sex unions. This is considered an alternative to the use of the civil code. A third initiative, also approved, called on schools to avoid teaching LGBT education.
Amnesty International has told the government that it must "ensure equality and dignity".
"This result is a blow and a step backward for human rights in Taiwan," said Annie Huang, acting director of Amnesty in Taiwan. "However, despite this setback, we remain confident that love and equality will ultimately prevail."
Taiwanese also elected candidates from the pro-China opposition nationalist party to the majority of mayor and county magistrate positions, offsetting the losses suffered by the party in 2014.
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