Taiwan’s first-ever cross-strait same-sex marriage was officially registered in Kaohsiung City. The Kaohsiung Civil Affairs Bureau announced on Tuesday that the registration was completed on Monday.
The couple registered their union in the United States five years ago. One partner is from Kaohsiung, while the other is a Chinese national. However, Taiwan previously did not recognize the registration of Taiwanese-Chinese same-sex couples marrying in a third country. It was only in September, when the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) relaxed the related regulations, that the couple was able to successfully register their marriage on October 7.
The Kaohsiung City Government was the first local government in Taiwan that allowed the registration of same-sex partnerships on May 20, 2015. It holds regular meetings with LGBTQ+ groups to gather feedback and suggestions. The Civil Affairs Bureau said that marriage equality knows no nationality, and same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights. The registration of the first same-sex couple from Taiwan and mainland China in Kaohsiung adds special historical significance and value to a city known to advocate for human rights.