Gay Chinese couple fulfil wedding dream in ‘freer’ Thailand
The Hindu
Gay Chinese couple Wang Zengyi and Song Jihan marry in Thailand, overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and social stigma for love.
When Wang Zengyi, 41, and Song Jihan, 29, first met at a friend’s dinner party in China, it was love at first sight.
“I thought he was handsome and pure,” says Mr. Wang. “Our love has deepened over time.”
Nearly three years later, the gay Chinese couple are getting married in Thailand, which became Asia’s largest nation to legalise same-sex marriage earlier this year — including for foreign couples.
They are among the first Chinese LGBTQ couples to tie the knot in the Southeast Asian country as it celebrates its first Pride since the law’s passage.
“Thailand is a freer country,” said Mr. Wang after they signed their marriage certificate at a Bangkok registry office. “It’s also more inclusive to our community.”
He believes they are the first gay Chinese couple to host a full wedding ceremony in Thailand, but that “gradually,” more will follow in their footsteps.
“I hope we can have a positive influence.”
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