Same‐sex partnership in the family policies of Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan

Discussions about Asian same‐sex partnerships (SSPs) and queer families are relatively few due to their low social visibility and lack of legal recognition. Aiming to explore the relationship between the state and queer families beyond the Western context, I examine the connections between family‐related policies and laws, marriage and family norms, and SSPs in Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan. These three countries encourage marriage and parenthood within marriage, but they have different policies and laws on same‐sex relationships. By comparing how family‐related laws and policies in Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan treat SSPs and queer families, I find that policies with similar goals can be implemented differently. I also examine the long‐lasting heteronormativity and emerging homonormativity in these policies and laws. I further argue that legally and socially constructed connections between family, kin networks, and marriage should be considered in policy making and in academic discussions around SSP in Asia.