Two lesbian couples said "I do" in a mass wedding conducted by Taiwan's army Friday.
The mass wedding comprised of 188 couples was the first time that same-sex couples married at a military ceremony, in a groundbreaking moment for the LGBTQ community of the self-governed island of almost 24 million people. It was held the day before Taiwan Pride, the annual esbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parade in Taipei.
The collective wedding had various members of the military tying the knot to their civilian/army partners. The two couples are Lee Ying-ying and Chen Ying-xuan, and Meng Youmei and Wang Yi.
"Our country...has become the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage and the ministry gives its blessings to same-sex servicemen who are getting married," the Guardian quoted the Taiwan military as saying.
For his part, Pope Francis said he approves of same-sex union. In a surprise disclosure last week, the pope said he believes same-sex couples should be allowed to be joined in a civil union.
"They're children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it," he said, adding that he "supports" such union between couples of the same sex.
Taiwan is the only place in Asia to legalize same-sex union, with over 4,000 such couples - nearly 70% of them lesbian couples, based on the most recent government data - getting married since the bill was approved in May last year.
According to Taiwan's state-run Central News Agency, three couples registered to join in a mass wedding last year, but had a change of heart and backed out at the last minute because of social pressure.
While same-sex marriage has been widely celebrated since the law took effect in Taiwan, it does not grant full equality. Taiwanese people who seek to marry foreigners of the same sex can only be allowed if their partner's home country also legally recognizes equality in marriage.
"Love makes Taiwan stronger, bless every lover, and cheer for the continuous improvement of the national army," a Taipei councilor wrote, in reaction to the lesbian couple's wedding.
