In another step toward full marriage equality in Taiwan, the government has announced that it will begin to recognize same-sex marriages between Chinese and Taiwanese couples. But the marriages will only be recognized if the couple first marries in a third country that recognizes same-sex marriage.
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00:00Another step towards full marriage equality here in Taiwan after a surprise announcement
00:05by the Mainland Affairs Council, finally granting cross-straight same-sex couples a path to
00:12wedlock.
00:13There have been two high-profile cases this year involving same-sex cross-straight couples
00:18going through the courts.
00:20Cases which have been referenced by the Mainland Affairs Council in their announcement today
00:25as helping push this decision through.
00:28Here's what the Mainland Affairs Council had to say.
00:58This decision follows two cases that we've been following closely here at Taiwan Plus.
01:07In August, gay couple Ryan and Rye kept countries apart by their inability to wed, won their
01:15case against the state.
01:17They were arguing that it was unconstitutional to deny same-sex cross-straight couples the
01:22same chance at marriage that heterosexual couples can enjoy.
01:26They were denied the right to interview, which is a core, crucial step in the marriage
01:32process for cross-straight couples.
01:35And earlier this month, I met with Alvin and Jim, another cross-straight same-sex couple
01:40who also feared that if they were unable to wed, they would be forced apart.
01:45They are by no means the only two cases.
01:48There are hundreds of same-sex couples seeking help from the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil
01:54Partnership Rights, or TAP-CPR.
01:58Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage way back in 2019, it was the first country in Asia
02:03to do so, and later legalizing it for all foreign nationals except those from China.
02:11But now, a lifeline for those cross-straight couples.
02:15And while celebrating the progress, rights groups say it's not yet the end of the line.
02:21This decision means that only couples who can actually afford to travel abroad and wed
02:27in a third country that recognizes same-sex marriage will have the opportunity to have
02:33that marriage recognized in Taiwan.