Thousands took to the streets in Taiwan cities Saturday to protest a same-sex marriage bill currently working its way through the country’s legislature.

In protests organised by civil groups including The Happiness of the Next Generation Alliance, an estimated 200,000 people protested nationwide—100,000 in Taipei, 50,000 in Kaohsiung and 40,000 in Taichung, organisers said.

In Taipei, protesters gathered outside the Presidential Office on Ketagalan Boulevard.

Demonstrators carried placards demanding a referendum on the issue and distributed petitions to recall legislators who have supported the government's efforts to legalize same-sex marriage.

Representatives from several Christian and Buddhist groups also took part in the event.

An attendee Chu Wu-hsien told Focus Taiwan that the religious groups adamantly opposed the revision of the Civil Code, as it would "destroy the values of the family."

Meanwhile, civic groups in support of same-sex unions such as Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBT) Hotline Association plan to stage a concert on Dec. 10, to coincide with World Human Rights Day, also on Ketagalan Boulevard.