Taiwan and China Men Who Registered Marriage in Taiwan... First Cross-Strait Same-Sex Couple

Taiwan, First in Asia to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage in 2019
Challenges Remain for China-Taiwan Couples' Marriages
"Cross-Strait Couples Also Allowed to Marry"... But Cannot Obtain ID Cards

In Taiwan, the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, a cross-strait (China and Taiwan) same-sex couple has been registered for the first time.

According to Taiwan media United Daily News on the 8th (local time), on the 7th, a same-sex couple consisting of a Taiwanese and a Chinese national completed their marriage registration at the Gushan Household Registration Office under the jurisdiction of the Taiwanese household registration. An official from the office said, "They are the first same-sex couple to register their marriage across the strait," adding, "They had previously registered their marriage in the United States in 2019, and their documents were reviewed in the same manner as those of ordinary international marriages."

Previously, the Taiwanese government also stated that cross-strait same-sex couples could be recognized like other international couples. On the 20th of last month, the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's agency responsible for relations with mainland China, said, "Cross-strait same-sex couples can be compared to the current regulations on cross-strait heterosexual marriages involving third regions," adding, "If marriage certificates and documents certified by government overseas offices are submitted, and after interviews with relevant agencies are passed, the household registration office in Taiwan can process the marriage registration." The term "third region" refers to countries that recognize same-sex marriage, including Taiwan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, and 35 other countries.

However, there is an issue that same-sex spouses with Chinese nationality cannot obtain a Taiwanese ID card. To acquire an ID card in Taiwan, one must give up their household registration in mainland China, and in this process, China may not recognize the fact that the same-sex marriage was registered in Taiwan.

Recently, the difficulties faced by cross-strait couples in marrying in Taiwan have been highlighted. On the 28th of last month (local time), the British newspaper The Guardian reported on the story of same-sex couples with Taiwanese and Chinese nationalities who cannot marry. In Taiwan, marriages with Chinese nationals are strictly reviewed for reasons including national security. The process requires: △ marrying first in China, △ undergoing a separate verification process in Taiwan to certify the marriage, and △ confirming that the Chinese spouse does not pose a national security threat. The first hurdle, marrying in China, was reported to be particularly difficult, causing complaints.

Taiwan is one of the most progressive countries regarding LGBTQ+ rights. In May 2019, it became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage and recognizes LGBTQ+ couples with different nationalities. In May last year, Taiwan expanded adoption rights for same-sex couples by allowing them to jointly adopt children who are not biologically related to either partner.