Taiwan Will Hold Referendum on Same-Sex Marriage

Taiwan’s Central Election Commissionhas announced the country will hold a referendum on same-sex marriage after months of controversy, reports Reuters.

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.

A petition from conservative anti-gay group Next Generation Alliance amassed more than 600,000 signatures, while prominent Taiwanese businessmen and Christian groups fiercely protested the legislation.

The referendum hopes to “strictly define [marriage] as between a man and a woman” once and for all.

The referendum will be held November 24.