Chen Jing-hsueh and Gao Jhih-wei, who is the first same-sex couple who sought to register at the Taipei City Zhongshan District Household Registration Office on 18 Aug 2011, had their application turned down.
They then wrote to the Department of Civil Affairs (Taipei City Government) and were told that same-sex marriage is not permitted under existing civil legislations, and so the Household Registration Office is unable to approve their application. They were additionally advised to appeal within 30 days should they feel aggrieved by the decision made by the Office “since the issue of same-sex marriage is still being studied.”
Chen, who is the founder of Taiwan Gay and Lesbian Couples Association (GLCA) - an advocacy group, decided to go to court after his appeal to the Taipei City Government was unsuccessful.
The couple was unofficially married in a public wedding ceremony in September 2006. They are believed to be only the second same-sex couple to wed in a public ceremony after Dr Yu Shen Shu and his partner, who is only publicly known as Gray, who wed in Taipei in 1996. Several other same-sex couples have since followed suit.
Chen and Gao filed a lawsuit in August 2011 and named the Taipei City Zhongshan District Household Registration Office as the defendant in the court case. The case was first heard on 27 March 2012 during which an officer representing the Household Registration Office denied having made any mistake in rejecting the couple’s application.
The couple did not attend the hearing but were represented by a lawyer Jerry Kuo-Cheng Huang (黃國城) who argued that civil law does not specify that only a male person and a female person can register for marriage.
As the couple believes that gay men and lesbians deserve the right to marry, they decided to sue the Zhongshan District Household Registration Office to demand their right to be registered as a household.
Chen and Gao also added that since they have abided by the laws governing Ceremonial Marriage under the common laws to hold a public wedding ceremony in September 2006, so the Registration Office should process their application.
Until 23 May 2007, under Taiwan's Civil Law, any marriage that has a public ceremony with two witnesses will make the marriage effectively official. But after 23 May 2007, Clause 982 was amended so that only with registered unions will be recognised.
Huang argued that since Chen and Kao's public ceremony was held on 24 September 2006 before the amendment came into effect, the old law should apply.
Huang, who spoke on behalf of the couple, told the media that the couple is seeking a legal and formal recognition of their relationship as well as other legal rights and entitlements such as adoption of children.
In a tele-conversation with the Liberty Times, Chen, who is in Japan, said: "The constitution provides for equal rights for every individual, and no one should be denied that basic right of a citizen. Chen says his marriage with Gao has been going on for six years, and this law suit is not to obtain more legal rights for gay men and lesbians, but to have the rights they deserve." He vowed to try his best to win, and does not rule out seeking a constitutional interpretation from the court if the current suit fails."
The next court hearing is scheduled for 10 April 2012. Chen, Gao and both their mothers are expected to appear in court for the first time, to show their support for legalising same-sex marriage. Supporters and media are welcome to attend the hearing.
The above article is translated from news reports in Chinese linked below.
A panel discussion with Chen Jing-hsueh, his lawyer Jerry Kuo-Cheng Huang
and citizen reporter He Chung-Hsun (in Chinese). See related article in Chinese.
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Reader's Comments
Love is an affection and something emotional, isn't it? There can't be seperations of emotions between genders. I hope world can understand that and show some respect to gay people. By attempts of these brave people, one day whole humanity will understand that I hope...
Some says we shouldn't worry about marriage because it is a "straight culture". While to me if we don't want to be discriminated we have to be able to married too. Otherwise it's a discrimination whether you want it or not in the future with you're partner. Personally i have mixed feeling whether i want it or not but i think we have to support our friend who want to.
1, Do not understand why people want to get married.
2, Since the two people to get married, why do need to have the permission of the two outside.
3, Marriage is the matter of between two people? Parents matter? Or Ministry of Civil Affairs? Government? Or Religious groups? or Eve bothering a GOD。
Unbelievable
搞不懂，
1, 人们为什么一定要结婚。
2，既然两人要结婚，为什么非得得到两人之外者的准许。
3，结婚是属两人的事？父母的事？民政部的事？政府部门？还是宗教团体？就连上帝也牵连进来了。
怪事！！！
Good luck! If this is what you want...go for it!
However, I think it's important that same sex relationships are recognised officially by the state, so that same sex couples can have the same advantages that married heteros do: tax breaks, inheritance issues, next-of-kin legal status, household registration, and so on. Until same sex couples are given these rights LGBT people will always be second class citizens. I think the model used by the UK of a civil partnership is the way forward.
but so many gays want to dress up in a wedding gown and walk down the aisle....
5> You are wrong. Taiwan is not Christian at all. There are a few missionaries and nasty God botherers here, but very few people take any notice of them The most Christian society on the planet is America.
Marriage is spiritual and ultimate union between two souls. That is why it's so hard for heterosexual citizens to grant homosexual citizens this right. They themselves are afraid to face it honestly, sometimes at least.
Hello guys!
Hello guys!
2）當然我們都對參不參加社會有選擇權了。現代的社會以政府表現出來，不告訴政府我們的每一件事是理所當然的。但是社會還有自己的權利：就政府來說，兩人結婚後政府才會“讓”兩人打個基礎開始一個家庭。雖然我身為一個abc，也不太懂他國的法律，但是美國政府也是說，兩人沒有結婚或者彼此之間沒有家人關係的話，其中一個人發生意外入院的時候，第二個人（一開始）就沒有權利探訪病人、決定醫生能開甚麼手術等等。而且，因為政府也是收稅的團體，他們也決定每個家庭和每個人都必須要付多少稅。在美國，沒有通過政府結婚的人都必須要付出更多稅。不曉得他國的稅法如何，但希望各位能參考參考。
Getting married isn't about wedding. It is about an agreement you sign. It will be very helpful when one of the couple pass away. Then you see what will affect you the most without the paper. Don't think when you are 20 to 50+. If a couple are in 60+ years old. They had been living together for 30 yrs. You can see the economic impact without legally married after passing of one's spouse can be devastating. Lose their house, retirement benefit, unable to sign any document for his loved one for funeral or medical treatment and so on. It is the same in straight married. That's why they want to be legally married. Otherwise a wedding party will do. Why sign the paper?
In Canada, many gay couples have their own biological children or adopted children after gay marriage was legalized here since 2005. Guys, do you see how wonderful their future will be when their children grow up?
If you prefer to die alone, it is your right. Leave those who want to get married to fight on. Without your condemnation will help to some extend. There are many unmarried straight people who do not believe in marriage. Do they condemn about marriage? NO. Simply they respect other people's choice. SILENCE IS GOLDEN (A proverbial saying, often used in circumstances where it is thought that saying nothing is preferable to speaking.) You can preserve your single life eternity. Since those prefer married do not condemn your lifestyle, why you have attack them? Fair? SILENCE IS GOLDEN. Babies.
【#8】
為啥一定要結婚？ 所為”結婚“說穿了還不是一種“性交易合法化”嗎？ 那是男女之間得玩意兒， 為何一定要把男女價值觀建立在男男關係上呢？ 我們應該有我們一套對男男關係價值觀的體現， 所以還是算了，你們要好好一起生活， 好好愛這對方， 那就夠了，別人認不認同你們根本不重要。。。
【Reply #8】
这什么逻辑？为什么不结婚呢？什么叫“男女之间的玩意儿”？以你这口气似乎很瞧不起异性婚姻？你错了，不是把男女的价值观建立在男男关系上，而应该是文化背景的不同和个人选择。周围相爱的人都相继走进婚礼殿堂，加之他们也想要同性婚姻（我也想要与异性恋相等的东西），这又有什么错？再说，很多同志本身就缺乏安全感，而且同志关系也不是那么的稳定，虽然结婚只是一张薄纸而已，但这张纸却能让同志关系更reliable，responsible和serious。就好比恋爱和婚姻完全就是两码事，你可以随随便便地你的情侣分手，但你却不会轻易地和你的爱人离婚。就是这个道理。
It's just different cultural backgrounds and personal perspectives. Basically, straight people around our lives get married gradually, and we want something in common, we don't want and don't need to be unusual or special, we just want something equal and same, is it an unforgiveable fault that should be attacked? Besides, lots of gay people are lacking of sense of safe, and in fact gay relationship is not that stable, although marriage is just a piece of paper, this paper may lead more serious, reliable and responsible relationship. Paying respect, it's non of your business that people want to get married. You can choose to be alone eternally, but it doesn't mean others want the same like you.
I am a UK citizen. i was one of the people fighting for equal rights for LGBT, including the right to marry if wanted. We don't all use or want to use the things we have a right to, but that doesn't mean we should not have the rights.
When a society denies some people the rights it gives others, it effectively labels them second class citizens. The law should be the same for everyone.
Otherwise disrespect becomes a part of the system - as it did in South Africa under apartheid, as it does in Malaysia with religious discrimination and as it does in China where city folk get way more rights than those who do not have city status.
Fair treatment of LGBT people is a touchstone for a respectable society.
It's just a word for heavens sake!
Good luck to these two guys.
Marriage - It is not a word of heaven sake. It will take HALF of YOUR WEALTH (if he has zero net worth) + continuing spouse supports for years upon separation/divorce. It is fair.
Canada is even more advance then just signing this paper. Some people wanted to avoid the $$$ payment while divorce. lol Sorry, The new rules apply even you live together for more than two years. Don't think you can get out of it. This is so called advanced society. Don't play the game, the laws will play you here.
Canadian gay or straight relationship is more serious due to the laws, which I think it is fair for everyone.
僕大きくなったら、結婚するの？
結婚したいな。
I spent most of my life in relationships but was single when I got HIV. I also met my someone exceptional during that time -- he is negative but we started dating and became a couple. I married my partner and this gives us a great deal of stability in terms of cementing the trust in our open relationship, ensuring he will undertake the decisions I chose regarding my health should things go wrong and establishing recognition of successor rights should I pass away. The choice to marry was made for both romantic and governmental reasons but has also unexpectedly given us back more than that in social acceptance.
My spouse is and was already Canadian citizen when we married but he hails from Taiwan. We would be very pleased if Taiwan also took this step forward and once again led the curve in democratic rights in Asia. We would be happy for everyone there to achieve the level of rights we have here and including for ourselves, when we visit family in Taiwan to depart one country accepting our marriage to arrive in another!
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