Same-sex couples start registering marriages in Taiwan
Hundreds of same-sex couples in Taiwan are rushing to get married on the first day a landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage takes effect.
One household registration office in Taipei was packed Friday as couples seized the earliest opportunity to tie the knot.
Taiwan became the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage last week in a legislative vote on a cause that LGBT rights activists on the island have championed for two decades.
Two same-sex couples show their legal marriage certificates at the registration office in Xingyi District in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, May 24, 2019. Hundreds of same-sex couples in Taiwan are rushing to the household registration office on the first day that a landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage has taken effect. (AP PhotoJohnson Lai)
A Taipei resident who identified himself only by a nickname said he and his partner feel lucky that they are able to tell everyone that they have gotten married.
Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior said about 300 same-sex couples are expected to register Friday.
Two same-sex couple seal their legal marriages with a kiss at the registration office in Xingyi District in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, May 24, 2019. Hundreds of same-sex couples in Taiwan are rushing to the household registration office on the first day that a landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage has taken effect. (AP PhotoJohnson Lai)
Two same-sex couples pose for a photo at the household registration office to register their legal marriage in Xingyi District in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, May 24, 2019. Hundreds of same-sex couples in Taiwan are rushing to the household registration office on the first day that a landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage has taken effect. (AP PhotoJohnson Lai)