Two same-sex couples are taking their cases to the courts after being denied the right to marry in Taiwan. The reason: each couple involves a Chinese national.
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00:00The fight for full marriage equality in Taiwan continues. Here at this court in Taipei, same-sex
00:06couple Ryan and Rai are taking their case to the next level, after being denied the
00:11right to marry due to Rai's Chinese nationality.
00:14We hope that we can have equal marriage rights just like all Taiwanese.
00:20Demand equal marriage! Demand equal marriage!
00:24It's one of the remaining holes in Taiwan's legal systems for same-sex couples. Despite
00:29the landmark ruling legalising same-sex marriage in 2019, and another affording most foreign
00:34citizens the same rights in 2023, couples involving Chinese nationals are still unable
00:41to marry, mostly due to bureaucracy.
00:45Actually the situation is quite ridiculous. So it's totally administrative barrier. And
00:51I think this is kind of a problem of political will. Actually we've got everything to get
00:59the permission for the reunion.
01:01Now this couple's appeal is being discussed at one of the highest courts in Taiwan. Results
01:06are expected in about a month's time. And with a strong legal case and support from
01:10several rights groups, there's a sense of confidence in the air.
01:14I think the result should be positive.
01:18It's one of two such cases going through the courts this summer. Jim Law and his Chinese
01:22partner will also have their case heard, which Law hopes will bring an end to a long and
01:28frustrating journey.
01:54And if either case is successful, they'll become
01:57the first cross-strait same-sex couple to marry in Taiwan, potentially setting a new
02:02precedent for others like them in the future.