Chiayi becomes newest Taiwanese city to say yes to registering gay couples

[yuiyoshida]

In an incremental yet nonetheless valuable sign of progress in Taiwan, the city of Chiayi will be accepting household registrations from same-sex couples starting from March.

GayStarNews reports that on Tuesday, Mayor Twu Shiing-jer announced that household registration offices in Chiayi's eastern and western districts will be receiving applications from gay residents and their partners, from March 1 onwards. Chiayi thus joins the ranks of Taipei, Kaohsiung, and four other Taiwanese cities in recognizing gay house owners.

But there's a catch, which is that the actual household certificates won't be recognizing gay couple owners. Still, Twu has promised a "complete package solution" in the future, encouraging both sides of the debate to come forward.

Although demand for the legalisation of gay marriage in Taiwan has intensified in recent years the government has been held up by religious opponents.

http://shanghaiist.com/2016/02/25/chiayi_says_yes_to_gay_couples.php