The News Lens
Date: 2016/03/07
All of Taiwan’s six special municipalities will now recognize household

Revelers participate in a gay pride parade in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. Thousands took to the streets in support of gay pride in Taiwan on Saturday. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
registrations of same-sex relationships starting from March 14.
Taipei, capital of Taiwan, and Kaohsiung first began recognizing household registrations of same-sex relationships last year. Taichung, New Taipei City and Tainan followed the suit this year and Taoyuan is the last major municipality to make the decision.
Tang Hui-chen, director of the Department of Civil Affairs at the Taoyuan City Government, says that based on gender equality, basic human rights and respect for same-sex relationships, the government has decided to allow gay couples to register as same-sex partners to protect their rights.
Tang adds that though Taiwan’s current civil law does not permit same-sex marriage, but out of respect for same-sex relationships, starting from March 14, the city government will order household registration offices to consider applications for registrations of same-sex relationships. [FULL STORY]