Taiwan LGBT activists hold Valentine’s Day protest against same-sex marriage rules

Taiwanese can legally wed foreigners, but only those from places that also recognise marriage equality

Yellow ribbons with names and nationalities of separated couples tied on gates at Executive Yuan

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Activists protesting in Taipei on Monday called on the government to approve gay marriage with foreign partners. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:55pm, 14 Feb 2022Updated: 5:57pm, 14 Feb 2022

LGBT activists in Taiwan braved a Valentine’s Day downpour Monday to protest against the island’s same-sex marriage law, which critics say falls short of full recognition for many international couples.

Under the law, Taiwanese people may legally wed foreigners but only from countries that also recognise marriage equality.

Taiwan’s courts have been open to considering challenges on a case-by-case basis, but that requires the presence of both partners – an impossible task for many as foreign tourists are banned during the pandemic.

Protesters tie yellow ribbons onto the gates outside the Executive Yuan in Taipei. Photo: AFP

“It’s not me who loves the wrong person – it’s the government that fails to correct its mistake,” said Andrew Chuang, who has been separated from his Japanese partner for more than two years.

He was among the dozens of LGBT activists and couples who gathered in front of Taiwan’s seat of executive power to protest against the rules.

They tied hundreds of yellow ribbons around the compound’s metal gates – a reference to the 1973 hit song Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree, in which lovers yearn to be reunited.

Each ribbon had the names and nationalities of separated couples, along with the number of days they have spent apart.

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