National / Social Issues Jun 27, 2020
Fighting for the right to recognize same-sex marriage in Japan
by Andrew McKirdy
The notion of legal partnerships is gaining acceptance and yet entrenched political obstacles remain.
National Jun 21, 2020
900 LGBT couples have been certified in Japan since 2015, survey finds
Certifications grew by nearly 500 in fiscal 2019 alone, led by Osaka.
National / Crime & Legal Jun 4, 2020
Japan court rejects notion same-sex couples are de facto marriages
Whether a same-sex partnership could be considered a de facto marital relationship was a major point of contention in the trial.
National / Social Issues Jun 1, 2020
Okayama to join other Japan cities issuing certificates for same-sex partnerships
The city of Okayama said Monday it will issue certificates recognizing same-sex partnership starting July 1 to couples living in or planning to move to the city. It will join nearly 50 other local governments in the country issuing similar certificates to lesbian, gay, bisexual ...
World / Social Issues May 27, 2020
Marco Castillo and his boyfriend, Rodrigo Campos, waited just a few hours to take advantage of a new law in Costa Rica that made the country the first in Central America to allow same-sex marriage. A judge, two witnesses, relatives and hundreds of online viewers ...
Asia Pacific / Social Issues May 21, 2020
'Happily ever after' eludes some in Taiwan a year after Asia's first same-sex marriages
When Taiwan became the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage last year, university professor Lois was among thousands of gay people who cheered and waved rainbow flags on the streets of the capital Taipei. A year on, she and her Chinese partner still ...
National / Social Issues Apr 27, 2020
Japan NGO offers same-sex 'partnership certificates' to address gaps in current provision
by Tomoko Sunami
Mizuho Financial Group Inc. is among companies participating in the initiative, with certificates to be created by Famiee Project.
National Jan 6, 2020
Minato Ward in Tokyo to guarantee LGBT people's right to self-expression through appearance
Minato Ward in Tokyo plans to revise its gender equality ordinance to guarantee the right of LGBT people to express themselves through their personal appearance. According to sources, the ward's plan would mean changing, among other regulations, school uniform rules that require boys to wear ...
Asia Pacific / Social Issues Dec 23, 2019
After gay marriage law passes, Taiwan emerges as new market for LGBT+ surrogacy
by Rik Glauert
On Geoffrey Li's 40th birthday last year, he put aside his dream of an early retirement on an idyllic island and instead decided to raise a child in Taiwan using a surrogate in Southeast Asia. Li and his husband — whose twin boys are now ...
National Dec 2, 2019
Yokohama begins distributing papers recognizing LGBT and common-law couples
Yokohama began issuing certificates that recognize the partnerships of sexual minorities and common-law couples Monday. Yokohama is the third city in the nation to implement a recognition system for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, as well as common-law couples, according to the city. It will ...
Asia Pacific / Social Issues Oct 26, 2019
Thousands gather on Taipei streets in East Asia's largest Pride march
More than 100,000 people thronged the streets of Taiwan's capital Taipei on Saturday for East Asia's largest Pride march, months after the self-ruled island began formally allowing same-sex marriage, the first place in Asia to do so. Proudly democratic Taiwan is a bastion of liberal ...
World / Social Issues Oct 22, 2019
Abortion and gay marriage set to be legal in Northern Ireland
Abortion and same-sex marriage are set to become legal in Northern Ireland, after a group of local lawmakers failed Monday in a last-minute bid to thwart the London-ordered liberalization of the laws. Abortion is currently illegal in the British-ruled province — except when the mother's ...