Recognition of same-sex unions in Asia

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{{Same-sex marriage map Asia}}

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,{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-taiwan-same-sex-marriage-20170524-story.html|title=Taiwan's high court paves the way for same-sex marriage, a first in Asia|work=Los Angeles Times|date=24 May 2017|access-date=February 6, 2018}} followed by Thailand on 23 January 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-20 |title=Same-sex couples in Thailand speak of happiness before marriage equality law takes effect |url=https://apnews.com/article/thailand-marriage-equality-law-couples-photos-0bbc6b4771a16efeefbe7397eb6a4dd0 |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=AP News |language=en}}

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.{{cite court |litigants=Cohen v. Shushan |vol=212 |reporter=So.3d |opinion=1113 |date=2017 |url=https://www.leagle.com/decision/inflco20170315170 |access-date=September 23, 2017 |quote=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 }} Some cities in Cambodia provide same-sex couples with some limited rights and benefits, including hospital visitation rights.[https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/same-sex-couples-tie-the-knot-in-cambodia-in-a-stunning-public-ceremony/ Same-sex couples tie the knot in Cambodia in a stunning public ceremony], Gay Star News, 24 May 2018{{Cite web |url=http://www.rockcambodia.org/?page=detail&ctype=article&id=262&lg=en |title=Rainbow Community Kampuchea: What we do? |access-date=2019-06-25 |archive-date=2018-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530035604/http://www.rockcambodia.org/?page=detail&ctype=article&id=262&lg=en |url-status=dead }} Several prefectures in Japan issue partnership certificates for same-sex couples.{{cite web|last=Williams |first=Joe |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/12/26/another-japanese-city-to-recognise-same-sex-relationships/|title=Another Japanese city to recognise same-sex relationships |publisher=Pink News|date=December 26, 2015|access-date=December 26, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201603010007 |author=Masanori, Hiuchi |title=City in Mie Prefecture to recognize same-sex partnerships in April |publisher=Asahi Shimbun |date=1 March 2016 |access-date=2016-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302100844/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201603010007 |archive-date=2016-03-02 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/3rd-municipality-in-japan-starts-issuing-same-sex-partnership-papers |title=3rd municipality in Japan starts issuing same-sex partnership papers |publisher=Japan Today |date=3 April 2016 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In Hong Kong, the same-sex partners of residents can receive spousal visas and spousal benefits.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/06/06/breaking-hong-kong-top-court-grants-spousal-benefits-husband-gay-civil-servant/|title=Hong Kong's top court sides with gay civil servant in application for spousal benefit and tax assessment|date=2019-06-06|website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-06-06}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2164692/breakthrough-lgbt-rights-hong-kong-recognise-same-sex|title=Breakthrough for LGBT rights as Hong Kong to recognise same-sex partnerships in spousal visa applications|publisher=South China Morning Post|date=18 September 2018}}