Same-sex couples draw attention at Taipei mass wedding

Taipei, Oct. 24 (CNA) Eight same-sex couples became the center of attention at Taipei City's mass wedding on Saturday, walking down the aisle to cheers and applause at an event that has officially been opened to gay couples for the first time since it started in 1973.

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲 presided over the wedding at the University of Taipei's sports stadium and gave blessings to the 123 couples who tied the knot there.

"The wedding today not only marks the 10th anniversary of our happiness and companionship, it is also our way to show practical support for the Taipei city government, for its decision to include gay couples in its mass wedding," said gay rights activist Nelson Chen (陳敬學 , who joined the wedding with his partner Kao Chih-wei (高治瑋 .

"Even though same-sex marriage is not yet legalized in Taiwan, if more gay couples can bravely come forward, it will set a great example for the public," Chen told CNA.

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201510240018.aspx