A couple register their partnership in Tainan when it was introduced Feb. 1.

Taipei, March 14 (CNA) The Taoyuan city government said Monday that it has decided to allow same-sex couples to denote their partner relations at household registration offices.

The city's Department of Civil Affairs said that Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsang (鄭文燦) has expressed several times that out of respect and understanding, "any true love should be blessed." The department is taking stock of the practice of other cities in adopting the measure so as to realize the ideal of respecting human rights.

All those who are aged over 20 and single, with one or both parties having household registration in Taoyuan City can go to household registration offices to be noted as "same-sex partners."

Those who have completed the marking process at the office will be issued same-sex partner papers for both parties.

The city government said that related regulations under the Civil Code define marriage as the union of a man and a woman, and do not permit the registration of same-sex partners, while some other countries already recognize same-sex partnerships.

(By Bien Chin-feng and Lilian Wu)
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