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Taiwan military wedding welcomes same-sex couples

'Coming out bravely'

Two same-sex couples tied the knot

in a mass wedding held by Taiwan’s military

Date: October 30, 2020

Location: Taoyuan, Taiwan

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) FRIEND OF CHEN YING-HSUAN, WORKING IN SERVICE SECTOR, 25, Wan Yuteng, SAYING:

REPORTER: "Did you think something like this could happen?”

WAN: "No. I didn't. I think it is really good to combine this event with such modern ideas. Whether it's happening in the military or across the country, this is a really positive direction."

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIWAN MILITARY COMBAT ENGINEER LIEUTENANT AND NEWLYWED, CHEN YING-HSUAN, SAYING:

"This world is in fact pretty loving and friendly. That is, it isn't as scary as everyone imagines. Even in a closed environment like our military, I've received lots of messages of congratulations and support from colleagues and senior officers. They always tell me I should be brave and be myself. So I think everyone else can too. Don't be afraid."

In 2019, Taiwan became the first Asian country

to legalize same-sex marriage