Recognition of same-sex unions in Asia

Laws regarding homosexuality in Asia
Same-sex sexual activity legal

  Marriage performed

  Marriage recognized

  Other type of partnership

  Legal guardianships or unregistered cohabitation

  Limited foreign recognition (residency rights)

  No recognition of same-sex couples

  Restrictions on freedom of expression, not enforced

  Severe restrictions of association with arrests or detention

Same-sex sexual activity illegal

  Prison, not enforced

  Prison

  Death penalty on books, not enforced

  Enforced death penalty

---

• v
• t
• e

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, ^[1] followed by Thailand on 23 January 2025. ^[2]

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.

Israel also recognises unregistered cohabitation for same-sex couples. ^[3] Some cities in Cambodia provide same-sex couples with some limited rights and benefits, including hospital visitation rights. ^{[4] [5]} Several prefectures in Japan issue partnership certificates for same-sex couples. ^{[6] [7] [8]} In Hong Kong, the same-sex partners of residents can receive spousal visas and spousal benefits. ^{[9] [10]}

Current situation

National level

Status	Country	Legal since	Country population (Last Census count)
Marriage (2 countries)	Taiwan	2019	23,400,220
	Thailand	2025	65,932,105
Subtotal	—	—	89,332,325 (1.9% of the Asian population)
Civil union (1 country)	Cyprus	2015	1,117,000
Subtotal	—	—	1,117,000 (0.05% of the Asian population)
Recognition of foreign marriage (1 country)	Israel	2006	10,026,900
Subtotal	—	—	10,026,900 (0.1% of the Asian population)
Temporary marriage-like union (1 country)	Nepal	2024	29,164,578
Subtotal	—	—	29,164,578 (0.7% of the Asian population)
Total	—	—	133,640,803 (2.75% of the Asian population)
No recognition (38 countries) * same-sex sexual activity illegal	Afghanistan*	—	31,575,018
	Azerbaijan	—	10,218,536
	Bahrain	—	1,496,300
	Bangladesh*	—	165,159,000
	Bhutan	—	727,145
	Brunei*	—	422,678
	China	—	1,393,970,000
	East Timor	—	1,261,407
	India	—	1,402,737,000
	Indonesia	—	265,015,300
	Iran*	—	81,773,300
	Iraq*	—	39,339,753
	Japan	—	126,490,000
	Jordan	—	10,235,500
	Kazakhstan	—it	20,286,084
	Kuwait*	—	4,226,920
	Laos	—	6,961,210
	Lebanon	—	6,093,509
	Malaysia*	—	34,112,400
	Maldives*	—	378,114
	Myanmar*	—	53,862,731
	North Korea	—	25,610,672
	Oman*	—	4,633,752
	Pakistan*	—	201,938,000
	Philippines	—	114,123,600
	Qatar*	—	2,450,285
	Saudi Arabia*	—	33,413,660
	Singapore	—	6,036,900
	South Korea	—	51,207,874
	Sri Lanka*	—	21,444,000
	Syria*	—	24,672,760
	Tajikistan	—	8,931,000
	Turkey	—	85,664,944
	Turkmenistan*	—	7,057,841
	United Arab Emirates*	—	9,541,615
	Uzbekistan*	—	32,653,900
	Vietnam	—	100,309,209
	Yemen*	—	28,915,284
Subtotal	—	—	4,385,382,645 (95.37% of the Asian population)
Constitutional ban on marriage (6 countries)	Armenia	2015	2,969,800
	Cambodia	1993	17,336,307
	Georgia	2018	3,694,600
	Kyrgyzstan	2016	7,161,900
	Mongolia	1992	3,504,741
	Russia	2020	146,150,789
Subtotal	—	—	179,180,789 (3.9% of the Asian population)
Total	—	—	4,564,563,434 (97.25% of the Asian population)

Sub-national level

Status	Country	Jurisdiction	Legal since	Jurisdiction population (Last Census count)
Marriage (2 jurisdictions)	United Kingdom	Akrotiri and Dhekelia	2014	15,700
		British Indian Ocean Territory	2014	3,000 (military personnel only)
Total				18,700

Partially-recognized and unrecognized states

Status	Country	Since	State population (Last estimate count)
No recognition (4 states)	Abkhazia	—	242,862
	Northern Cyprus		476,214
	Palestine [nb 1]	—	4,780,978
	South Ossetia	—	53,532
Total	—	—	5,390,998 (0.1% of the Asian population)

Future legislation

Marriage

Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority

  Japan: A bill was introduced by the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan in March 2023. ^[11]

Non-marital partnership

Opposition proposals or proposals without a parliamentary majority

  Philippines: In 2022, two same-sex civil union bills were 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. ^[12] In August 2022, 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. ^[13] In February 2023, Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez proposed a new Civil Partnership Bill, which allows both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership and enjoy equal rights and protection under the law ^[14]

Public opinion

  Indicates the country/territory has legalized same-sex marriage nationwide

  Indicates that same-sex marriage rights are pending

  Indicates that the country has civil unions or registered partnerships

  Indicates that same-sex sexual activity is illegal

Opinion polls for same-sex marriage by country

Country or territory	Pollster	Year	For	Against	Neutral [a]	Margin of error	Source
Armenia	Pew Research Center	2015	3%	96%	1%	±3%	[15] [16]
Cambodia	Pew Research Center	2023	57%	42%	1%		[17]
China	Ipsos	2021	43%	19%		-	[ citation needed ]
Georgia	Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group	2021	10% (12%)	75% (88%)	15%		[18]
Hong Kong	Pew Research Center	2023	58%	40%	2%		[17]
India	Pew Research Center	2023	53%	43%	4%	±3.6%	[19]
Indonesia	Pew Research Center	2023	5%	92%	3%	±3.6%	[19]
Israel	Pew Research Center	2023	36%	56%	8%	±3.6%	[19]
Japan	Kyodo News	2023	64% (72%)	25% (28%)	11%		[20]
	Asahi Shimbun	2023	72% (80%)	18% (20%)	10%		[21]
	Ipsos	2023	38%	40% [31% support some rights]	22% not sure	±3.5%	[22]
	Pew Research Center	2023	68%	26%	6%	±2.75%	[17]
Kazakhstan	Pew Research Center	2016	7%	89%	4%	-	[23] [16]
Malaysia	Pew Research Center	2023	17%	82%	1%		[17]
Philippines	SWS	2018	22%	61%	16%		[24]
Russia	Ipsos	2021	17%	52%		-	[ citation needed ]
Singapore	Ipsos	2023	32%	50% [23% support some rights]	19%	±3.5%	[22]
	Pew Research Center	2023	45%	51%	4%		[17]
South Korea	Ipsos	2023	35%	42% [18% support some rights]	23% not sure	±3.5%	[22]
	Pew Research Center	2023	41%	56%	3%		[17]
Sri Lanka	Pew Research Center	2023	23%	69%	8%		[17]
Taiwan	CNA	2023	63%	37%			[25]
	Pew Research Center	2023	45%	43%	12%		[17]
Thailand	Ipsos	2023	55%	29% [18% support some rights]	16% not sure	±3.5%	[22]
	Pew Research Center	2023	60%	32%	8%		[17]
Turkey	Ipsos	2023	20%	52% [22% support some rights]	28% not sure	±3.5% [b]	[22]
Vietnam	Pew Research Center	2023	65%	30%	5%		[17]

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. ^{[26] [27]}

See also

• LGBTQ 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

1. Same-sex sexual activity legal in the West Bank, but legal status in the Gaza Strip is unclear.

1. Also comprises: Don't know; No answer; Other; Refused.
2. [+ more urban/educated than representative]

References

1. "Taiwan's high court paves the way for same-sex marriage, a first in Asia". Los Angeles Times. 24 May 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
2. "Same-sex couples in Thailand speak of happiness before marriage equality law takes effect". AP News. 2025-01-20. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
3. Cohen v. Shushan, 212So.3d1113 (2017)("Our decision upholds a fine — but very clear — distinction that has been set within Israel's marital law, one we must maintain out of respect to Israel's law-making authority. Because Ms. Shushan and the late Mr. Cohen's legal union was not entered into through any recognized religious authority, they were not married under Israeli law. Ms. Shushan, therefore, could not be a surviving spouse of Mr. Cohen").
4. Same-sex couples tie the knot in Cambodia in a stunning public ceremony, Gay Star News, 24 May 2018
5. "Rainbow Community Kampuchea: What we do?". Archived from the original on 2018-05-30. Retrieved 2019-06-25.
6. Williams, Joe (December 26, 2015). "Another Japanese city to recognise same-sex relationships". Pink News. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
7. Masanori, Hiuchi (1 March 2016). "City in Mie Prefecture to recognize same-sex partnerships in April". Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
8. "3rd municipality in Japan starts issuing same-sex partnership papers". Japan Today. 3 April 2016.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
9. "Hong Kong's top court sides with gay civil servant in application for spousal benefit and tax assessment". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 2019-06-06. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
10. "Breakthrough for LGBT rights as Hong Kong to recognise same-sex partnerships in spousal visa applications". South China Morning Post. 18 September 2018.
11. "Japan opposition party submits bill for same-sex marriage".
12. Quismorio, Ellson (July 6, 2022). "Will proposed Civil Partnership Act prosper in 19th Congress? Herrera has fingers crossed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
13. Bordey, Hana (2022-08-11). "Padilla wants same-sex unions institutionalized". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
14. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195220
15. "Religious Belief and National Belonging in Central and Eastern Europe" (PDF). Pew. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
16. "Religious belief and national belonging in Central and Eastern Europe - Appendix A: Methodology". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
17. "How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage" . Retrieved 14 June 2023.
18. "წინარწმენიდან თანასწორობამდე (From Prejudice to Equality), part 2" (PDF). WISG. 2022.
19. "How people in 24 countries view same-sex marriage" . Retrieved 14 June 2023.
20. Staff (February 13, 2023). "64% favor recognizing same-sex marriage in Japan: Kyodo poll". Kyodo News. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
21. Isoda, Kazuaki (February 21, 2023). "Survey: 72% of voters in favor of legalizing gay marriages". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
22. LGBT+ PRIDE 2023 GLOBAL SURVEY (PDF). Ipsos. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
23. "Being Christian in Western Europe" (PDF). Pew Research Center. p. 152. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
24. "First Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey: 61% of Pinoys oppose, and 22% support, a law that will allow the civil union of two men or two women". 29 June 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
25. Strong, Matthew (19 May 2023). "Support for gay marriage surges in Taiwan 4 years after legalization". Taiwan News. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
26. Glauert, Rik (2019-05-30). "Survey finds 45% believe same-sex marriage inevtiable in Asia-Pacific". Gay Star News. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
27. "Legalisation of same-sex marriage will inevitably spread across Asia-Pacific, say nearly half of respondents in new Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey". vietnamnews.vn. Retrieved 2021-09-23.