Debate has occurred throughout Asia over proposals to legalize same-sex marriage as well as civil unions.

Following a Constitutional Court ruling and a subsequent legislative act, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide on 24 May 2019. 

In addition, Israel recognises same-sex marriages performed abroad, though not as full marriage, and same-sex marriages are legal in the UK sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the British Indian Ocean Territory. In March 2023, the Supreme Court of Nepal ordered the Nepali government to legally recognize a same-sex marriage performed overseas and to legislate for same-sex marriage. 

Israel recognises unregistered cohabitation for same-sex couples. Several cities in Cambodia provide same-sex couples with some limited rights and benefits, including hospital visitation rights. Some cities in Japan issue certificates for same-sex couples, which in the case of Tokyo provide some transportation rights. In Hong Kong, the same-sex partners of residents can receive spousal visas and spousal benefits.

Current situation

National level

Sub-national level

Partially-recognized and unrecognized states

Future legislation

Marriage

Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority 

 India: India does not have a codified civil marriage code. A draft of a Uniform Civil Code that would legalise same-sex marriage was proposed in 2017. There are also several same-sex marriage petitions pending in the courts. An opposition NCP MP introduced a bill to legalize same-sex marriages under the Special Marriages Act on 1 April 2022.

 
Japan: A bill has been introduced by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

  South Korea: A group of cross-party MPs have introduced a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage.

Non-marital partnership

Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority 

 Philippines: In 2022, two same-sex civil union bills have been proposed to the Philippine Congress. The first bill, named the "Civil Partnership Act", was proposed by Bagong Henerasyon party-list representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy in July 2022. This bill would provide recognition of same-sex couples in the Philippines and grant them the same benefits and protections as opposite-sex married couples on a national level. This bill was also proposed in previous Congresses, but did not pass. In August 2022, Muslim senator Robin Padilla proposed a similar bill named the "Civil Unions Act", which would provide benefits and protections for same-sex couples similar to Herrera-Dy's, as well as inheritance rights, adoption rights, and other privileges granted to married couples.

 South Korea: The opposition Basic Income Party introduced the Life Partnership Relations Act on 26 April 2023. The bill would recognize diverse families including same-sex couples. It has not yet been debated in the National Assembly.

Public opinion

In 2019, a survey by The Economist found that 45% of respondents in the Asia-Pacific region believed same-sex marriage is inevitable in the region, with 31% of respondents disagreeing. Also, three-quarters of those surveyed reported a more open climate for LGBT rights compared to three years ago. Of those reporting an improving climate for LGBT people, 38% cited a change in policies or laws, while 36% said coverage of LGBT issues in mainstream media was a major factor. The top reason cited for diminishing openness was anti-LGBT advocacy by religious institutions.

See also 
 LGBT rights in Asia
 Recognition of same-sex unions in Africa
 Recognition of same-sex unions in the Americas
 Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe
 Recognition of same-sex unions in Oceania

Notes

References