Gay Chinese couple fulfil marriage ceremony dream in ‘freer’ Thailand

Wang Zengyi, left, and Song Jihan sit with their canine earlier than their marriage ceremony ceremony on May 31.
| Photo Credit: AFP

When Wang Zengyi, 41, and Song Jihan, 29, first met at a pal’s banquet 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 homosexual Chinese couple are getting married in Thailand, which turned Asia’s largest nation to legalise same-sex marriage earlier this 12 months — together with for overseas {couples}.

They are among the many first Chinese LGBTQ {couples} to tie the knot within the Southeast Asian nation because it celebrates its first Pride for the reason that regulation’s passage.

“Thailand is a freer country,” stated Mr. Wang after they signed their marriage certificates at a Bangkok registry workplace. “It’s also more inclusive to our community.”

He believes they’re the primary homosexual Chinese couple to host a full marriage ceremony ceremony in Thailand, however that “gradually,” extra will observe of their footsteps.

“I hope we can have a positive influence.”

They enlisted the assistance of an agent and a guide to organise the marriage and paperwork to lastly make their dream come true.

Bureaucratic hurdles

Chinese authorities decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, however same-sex marriage is just not authorized, and social stigma is widespread.

Real property agent Owen Zhu helps homosexual Chinese {couples} come to Thailand to get married.

Mr. Zhu, 40, stated that the largest difficulties {couples} similar to Mr. Wang and Mr. Song face are linked to paperwork, in addition to prejudice. It is tough for Chinese LGBTQ people to acquire the certificates of single standing required by Thailand, proving that they don’t seem to be married, he says.

China additionally doesn’t recognise same-sex marriages registered overseas.

But Mr. Zhu believes that regardless of China’s bureaucratic hurdles, there shall be an increase within the variety of Chinese {couples} seeking to wed and even stay long-term in Thailand.

“There is a large market demand from many Chinese same-sex couples,” he says.

“Thailand is a particularly tempting place, allowing freedom to do things not possible in China, like holding hands or kissing in public with a partner”.

Mr. Zhu says the straightforward act of signing a wedding doc is deeply significant for his shoppers. “Though this piece of paper might not be recognised in China, in their hearts, they see it as recognition and acceptance from the world,” he says.

Chris Yan, a authorized guide who helped Mr. Wang and Mr. Song navigate the Thai administration to formalise their partnership, says the method for foreigners to register their marriage in Thailand is pretty clean so long as they will present the required paperwork.

Love ballads, vows

Surrounded by dozens of shut buddies and their ring-bearing small fluffy canine, Mr. Wang and Mr. Song sing love ballads to one another on a sandy Pattaya seaside earlier than tearfully studying their marriage ceremony vows. They will return house to China after their honeymoon, however hope to finally retire in Thailand.

Life is brief, is the message they’ve for different {couples} like them. Mr. Wang says: “Be with the one you want to be with.”