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Chinese gay and lesbian couples wed in California

Program Code: 0909346150605004 | Source: Reuters

SEVEN gay and lesbian couples who won a trip to travel to California to get married, exchange vows at a ceremony in West Hollywood. Sharon Reich reports.

 

Seven gay and lesbian couples from China are making their dreams come true...

They're saying "I do" in West Hollywood.

Each couple submitted a video about their love stories in a competition that had 2,000 contestants. Internet users selected the winners on Taobao, Alibaba's popular e-commerce site.

Groom Hu Zhidong met his partner, Liu Xin at a party, where they found out they shared the same birthday.

SOUNDBITE: Hu Zhidong, wedding contest winner, saying (Mandarin):

"We are both only sons in our families, and in Chinese tradition, that means the family needs us to procreate and continue the family line. They want us to follow that path."

The couples' marriages are recognized in California, but their unions will not be legal in China. China decriminalized homosexuality in 1997, but does still not allow gay marriage.

To Xu Na and Xue Meng Yao, the only lesbian couple participating in a ceremony, using the opportunity to come out was important.

SOUNDBITE: Xue Meng Yao, Bride, saying (Mandarin):

"I hope our marriage encourages others. I hope they can be braver and everyone can find his or her happiness. I hope everyone can marry his or her loved one."

The couples recited their vows in both English and Chinese ... A good reminder that love knows no boundaries.




 

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