“The results reflected the strong will of the Taiwan public in hoping to continue to share the benefits of the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait, and their strong wish in hoping to improve the island’s economy and people’s wellbeing,” a statement said according to Reuters. The results of the referendum are a major setback for LGBTIQ advocates in the country and while the votes won’t affect the 2017 court ruling or the May 2019 deadline for change, it’s now unclear how the government will respond. The vote presents a challenge to President Tsai Ing-wen, who activists say has backed away from a promise of marriage equality which she made in the run-up to elections in 2016. “One way or another it has to go back to the court.”

Voters approved a separate measure on Saturday calling for a “different process” to protect same-sex unions. While the referendum result can’t negate the constitutional court’s 2017 decision or the May 2019 deadline for implementing it, it could well influence what the government does next — in particular, whether it amends the civil code or proposes a new law. A third initiative, also approved, asked that schools avoid teaching LGBT “education.” Amnesty International told the government it needs to “deliver equality and dignity.”

“This result is a bitter blow and a step backwards for human rights in Taiwan,” Amnesty’s Taiwan-based Acting Director Annie Huang said. “However, despite this setback, we remain confident that love and equality will ultimately prevail.”

Huang warned the result “must not be used as an excuse to further undermine the rights of LGBTI people.”

“The Taiwanese government needs to step up and take all necessary measures to deliver equality and dignity for all, regardless of who people love,” she said.
Referendum voters in Taiwan reject a proposal to allow same-sex marriage. A March 2017 Constitutional Court ruling found the ban on these unions unconstitutional and ordered parliament to change the law within two years. Earlier, the government said the results of this vote would not affect its complying with the court's decision.