Premium Content:

Chinese court accepts country's first same-sex marriage case

Same Sex MArriage

 

- Advertisement -

A gay man in China has successfully lodged a case against a civil affairs office for not allowing him to marry his partner, a first in the country’s history.

26-year-old Sun Wenlin’s case is being lauded as a watershed moment for LGBTIQ rights in China, where same-sex marriages are not legal.

“I think from a legal point of view, we should be successful,” Sun told Reuters.

“Our marriage law says there is the freedom to marry and gender equality. These words can be applied to same-sex marriage.”

Mr Sun attempted to marry his male partner in China’s Furong district, where he was denied on the basis of their sexuality. Sun’s case has been accepted by a Changsha court – the capital of Hunan province.

Though homosexuality is not illegal in China, it was only delisted as a mental disorder in 2001. LGBTIQ activist Maya Wang of Human Rights Watch says Chinese courts often dismiss politically sensitive cases, so there mere acceptance of this case is a step forward.

“We will need to see if they actually win the case. If they do, it’d be a truly watershed moment for LGBT rights in China,” she said.

OIP Staff

 

Latest

Netflix teases new images from Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’

Visionary director Guillermo del Toro is taking on one of the most iconic works of gothic horror.

Discover the life and music of Clara Schumann

Mirabilis Collective shining a light on the work of this overlooked composer.

On This Gay Day | Choreographer Jerome Robbins died in 1998

Jerome Robbins made his mark in cinema and theatre.

Heartbreak as mother of Indian air-crash victim discover body is not her son

The family is now asking for help to track down Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek's body.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Netflix teases new images from Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’

Visionary director Guillermo del Toro is taking on one of the most iconic works of gothic horror.

Discover the life and music of Clara Schumann

Mirabilis Collective shining a light on the work of this overlooked composer.

On This Gay Day | Choreographer Jerome Robbins died in 1998

Jerome Robbins made his mark in cinema and theatre.

Heartbreak as mother of Indian air-crash victim discover body is not her son

The family is now asking for help to track down Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek's body.

New digital lifeline aims to close viral hepatitis gap for WA’s remote and diverse communities

World Hepatitis Day is recognised each year on 28 July.

Netflix teases new images from Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’

Visionary director Guillermo del Toro is taking on one of the most iconic works of gothic horror.

Discover the life and music of Clara Schumann

Mirabilis Collective shining a light on the work of this overlooked composer.

On This Gay Day | Choreographer Jerome Robbins died in 1998

Jerome Robbins made his mark in cinema and theatre.