Taiwan: Taiwanese same-sex couples wed at vibrant banquet

526 gay couples register for marriage on first day of legalization

TAIPEI (CNA) — A total of 526 same-sex couples registered for marriage in Taiwan on Friday, the first day same-sex marriage was legal in the country. According to statistics compiled by the Ministry of the Interior, the newlyweds included 185 male couples and 341 female couples.

New Taipei registered the most married same-sex couples at 117 followed by Taipei with 95 and Kaohsiung with 72, the statistics showed. While there were 511 couples in which both parties were Taiwanese, 15 couples matched a Taiwanese and a foreign national.

Under the Enforcement Act of Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 748, which was passed on May 17 and signed into law by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday, two people of the same gender aged 18 or older are allowed to register for marriage, with at least two witnesses signing the registration document. Read more via CNA

Taiwanese same-sex couples wed at vibrant banquet

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — More than 1,000 people have attended a mass wedding banquet in Taiwan's capital to celebrate the marriage of same-sex couples after a landmark decision legalizing the unions. Taiwan became the first place in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage last week following a vote by the island's legislature. LGBT couples clad in flowing white gowns and matching suits gathered in Taipei on Saturday evening to walk down a red carpet flanked by cheering supporters. Read more via AP