Activists want state to legalise gay marriage in China
3 March 2013 4:59 AM IST
Families of over 100 gay people in culturally-conservative China have written to lawmakers urging them to bring about a legislation to permit same-sex marriage.
In response to the denial of registration of their marriages, families of over 100 homosexual people in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province signed an open letter to deputies of the National People's Congress, asking them to submit proposals on the legislation of same-sex marriage, state-run Global Times reported. A proposal supporting same-sex marriage from Li Yinhe, China's most prominent sexologist, was also enclosed with the open letter.
Li has been calling for same-sex legislation for years, but her ideas have never been reflected in the NPC's discussions.
‘I hope they reply, even just a few. The best outcome would be to see real proposals at next week's NPC, but in light of the limited time, I hope this action will at least draw more public attention and discussion regarding gay rights,’ Liang Wenhu, a gay student told the Global Times.
A number of gay couples in China share a household, but they face difficulties with many issues including medical treatment, property and insurance management, and even child adoption without legal protection and recognition enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.
In response to the denial of registration of their marriages, families of over 100 homosexual people in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province signed an open letter to deputies of the National People's Congress, asking them to submit proposals on the legislation of same-sex marriage, state-run Global Times reported. A proposal supporting same-sex marriage from Li Yinhe, China's most prominent sexologist, was also enclosed with the open letter.
Li has been calling for same-sex legislation for years, but her ideas have never been reflected in the NPC's discussions.
‘I hope they reply, even just a few. The best outcome would be to see real proposals at next week's NPC, but in light of the limited time, I hope this action will at least draw more public attention and discussion regarding gay rights,’ Liang Wenhu, a gay student told the Global Times.
A number of gay couples in China share a household, but they face difficulties with many issues including medical treatment, property and insurance management, and even child adoption without legal protection and recognition enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.
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