TAIPEI, Nov 25: Taiwan has rejected same-sex marriages, in a blow to the island's reputation as a rights trailblazer in Asia.
The referendum results came despite a high court ruling in March 2017 in favour of such unions that had given parliament two years to amend laws or pass new ones.
It was unclear how Saturday's voting would affect the legislation, the BBC said.
The government earlier said the Saturday referendum would not affect it bringing in the changes required by the court ruling.
Conservative groups asked whether the legislation -- defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman in Taiwan's Civil Code -- should remain unchanged, while the Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activists demanded equal marriage rights.
Initial results suggested the conservatives received overwhelming support, while gay rights activists failed.
The authorities now were expected to pass a special law, without amending the Civil Code.
Campaigners fear the eventual legislation would be weaker, the BBC reported.
One possible outcome could be that gay couples would be given legal protection -- but not allow to marry, the Taiwanese media said.
At a news conference on Saturday, President Tsai Ing-wen, who quit as leader of Taiwan's governing party after defeats in local elections, admitted that her party DPP suffered on key local issues.
"Our efforts weren't enough and we let down all our supporters," the president said. - IANS
