Focus Taiwan
Date: 06/18/2020
By: Hou Wen-ting, Matthew Mazzetta and intern Melissa Wu

Taipei, June 18 (CNA) Taipei plans to boost its status as an LGBT tourist destination once the COVID-19 pandemic has lifted by offering commemorative certificates to same-sex couples visiting from abroad, the city's Department of Civil Affairs (DCA) said Wednesday.

Taiwan became the first country in Asia to pass a marriage equality law last May and more than 4,000 couples tied the knot in the first year since the policy took effect, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

On Wednesday, Taipei City Councilor Lee Chien-chang (李建昌) held a forum to discuss how the city can use this distinction to promote its LGBT or "rainbow" economy, particularly in the tourism sector.

At the event, DCA Section Chief Wu Chung-hsin (吳重信) said the city government plans to offer "commemorative certificates" to visiting LGBT couples, though their exact name and design are still under discussion.    [FULL  STORY]