Focus Taiwan
Date: 05/09/2020
By Wu Hsin-yun and Kay Liu

Taipei, May 9 (CNA) Scores of volunteers from LGBT groups in Taiwan embarked on a signature campaign Saturday to petition the government on laws that restrict same-sex marriage between couples from different countries, under certain circumstances.

The initial goal is to obtain 10,000 signatures on the petition, which asks government to remove the restrictions so that all same-sex couples would have the right to get married in Taiwan, said one the groups, the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR).

To that end, more than 100 volunteers from LGBT groups in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Kaohsiung and Hualien have launched a signature campaign, and the petition will be presented to the government on May 17, the first anniversary of the country's legislation of same-sex marriage, the TAPCPR said.

The petition stems from the Act Governing the Choice of Law in Civil Matters Involving Foreign Elements that in effect excludes couples that are from countries where gay marriage is prohibited, and also in cases where one partner is from such a country.    [FULL  STORY]