First Buddhist marriage ceremony for gay couple

Описание: (11 Aug 2012) STORYLINE:
The first Buddhist marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple in Taiwan took place on Saturday.
Huang Mei-yu wed her bride You Ya-ting at a Buddhist monastery in Taoyuan County, in north-west Taiwan.
Buddhist monks chanted as the couple exchanged vows and prayer beads instead of rings.
Friends and supporters attended the ceremony but the couple's families were absent.
"Our families did not accept today's ceremony," said Huang Mei-yu.
"We know that they don't agree with this and wouldn't attend today's ceremony. But we know that in their hearts they love us both," she added.
"We will help our family make the adjustment," Huang Mei-yu also said. "We will show them that even though we are a lesbian couple they can still be proud of us."
Shih Chao-hui, the Buddhist monk who lead the ceremony, said that some people in Taiwan may think same-sex marriage is "too radical".
"But I am prepared to receive the criticisms and attitude that others may have towards this ceremony," Shih added.
Guests at the wedding agreed that the ceremony was a sign of progress for Taiwan's gay and lesbian community.
"I wish all kinds of people can have this kind of love," said one person. "I am very moved by today's ceremony. I also hope that everyone will support (gay and lesbian) rights."
In 2003, Taiwan's cabinet drafted a controversial bill to legalise same-sex marriages and to allow same-sex couples to adopt children.
However, it failed to receive enough support to make it into a law.
The newlywed couple said they hoped their ceremony would encourage politicians and leaders to work on the bill again.


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