Taiwan may become the first Asian country to legalise same sex marriage

Taipei: Taiwan is expected to become the first Asian country to legalise same sex marriages following a likely decision to present this proposal before a parliamentary committee, reports CNN.

Taiwan has a large gay community and its annual gay pride parade is said to be the biggest in Asia.

It is one of the most progressive places in Asia in terms of safeguarding and promoting LGBT rights, giving legal status to homosexuality and permitting sex change operations.

"I'm sure gay marriage will be legalised soon," said Chang (45), who runs one of Taipei's most famous gay bars, Dalida, in the heart of the city's gay village.

With the Liberal Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in power, expectations are high that Taiwan will become the first place in Asia to permit same sex marriage.

President Tsai Ing-wen who was sworn in as Taiwan's first female president in May this year, has repeatedly voiced her support for sexual equality and LGBT rights.

However, homosexuality is still controversial with the older generation, and gay marriage is opposed by politically influential social conservative and Christian groups.

Previously, a bill raised to legalize same sex marriage in 2012 failed in the parliament and Yu Mei-Nu, the DPP legislator who proposed the last bill, says she is preparing to try again.

She expects to present the bill later this year.