Petition to Ban Same-Sex Marriage in Taiwan Reaches 600,000 Signatures

Conservative anti-gay group Next Generation Alliancehas amassed more than 600,000 signatures for a petition aiming to ban same-sex marriage in Taiwan.

In May of last year, the small island country became the first in Asia to rule in favour of same-sex marriage. LGBT+ advocates had hoped the ruling would become law in Taiwan by the end of 2017, but the legislation has faced several roadblocks.

The petition is asking for a referendum on the issue, hoping to outright ban same-sex marriage.

“The referendum will give a choice on basic values, it’s a selfless act of justice,” Happiness of the Next Generation Alliance wrote on their Facebook page. “We pushed the referendum with tears in our eyes, no one benefits from this.”

The Central Election Commission will now vet the petition. If they approve a referendum it could take place as soon as November.