Two lesbian couples have become the first to take part in a mass military wedding in Taiwan, the only place in Asia to have legalised gay marriage. Taiwan's army holds mass weddings every year, but this was the first time same-sex couples have taken part in one.
One of the couples involved said she hoped it would inspire "more LGBT people in the military [to] stand up".
Some 4,000 couples have married since Taiwan legalised same-sex marriage last year.
"Our military is very open-minded," Chen Ying-xuan, an army lieutenant who married Lee Ying-ying, told news agency the Associated Press (AP).
"In matters of love, everyone will be treated equally," she said, adding that she had always open about her sexual orientation.
Major Wang Yi and her wife Meng You-mei wed carrying a pride flag each throughout the ceremony.
Ms Meng's parents did not come to the celebration, but both Ms Wang's parents and her teacher came in support of the couple.
"I really feel this is a huge breakthrough for the military," Ms Wang's mother told AP. "Perhaps for heterosexual couples, its just a [piece of] paper, but its very important for gay couples."
No comments:
Post a Comment