Same-sex couple becomes first in Taiwan to adopt non-biologically related daughter

Описание: A gay couple has become the first in Taiwan to adopt a child not biologically related to either spouse. Currently the law only lets same-sex couples adopt children who are biologically related to one of the spouse. In this first-of-its-kind case, one partner had adopted the child prior to getting married. The Kaohsiung Juvenile and Family Court then ruled in favor of letting the other partner adopt the child as well.

Wang Chen-wei
Father
We are clearly both her parents. The discriminatory system made us really angry. Previously, my husband wasn’t able to apply for parental leave, and he wasn’t allowed to defer his studies. He was also not allowed to sign any medical consent forms. Those days of being treated as second-class citizens were really tough.

Fan Yun
Lawmaker
We should try to give all gay people and all our citizens equal rights when it comes to forming a family. This is also in the bests interests of our children.

The Kaohsiung court had based its decision on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as positive reports from social workers. The ruling, however, only applies to the litigants, and does not set a precedent for other same-sex couples in Taiwan. LGBT rights associations say more needs to be done, so that same-sex couples can enjoy the same adoption rights as heterosexual ones.