Lesbian wedding in Zhongshan

"Two lesbians, 32-year-old Paco and 28-year-old Crystal, held their wedding ceremony with more than 150 participants at a hotel in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province on January 1. It was the first lesbian wedding ceremony held publicly in the province.

The "groom" Paco led the bride Crystal in a white wedding dress into the dining hall where the host read their wedding promises in front of the participants.

"We are lesbians. It's difficult to be accepted in society, but we will accompany each other day and night, and will never forsake one another."

Each guest wore a pink heart card with nickname or QQ number. The bridesmaid was Crystal's sister.

The pair are both from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and they met a year ago at a friend of Crystal's. Paco is a teacher in Zhongshan and Crystal works at the financial sector.

Crystal said she'd known since she was a teenager that she was a lesbian, but got married when she was 20 and had a baby.

She divorced shortly thereafter and her daughter, now 8, lives with her parents.

Crystal's sister said their parents have accepted the fact that Crystal likes women. "You choose your life, just as long as you are happy," they told her.

Wu Youjian, an outspoken supporter of gay rights in China and the mother of a gay son, was the chief witness.

"For the past five years, I have stood out to support homosexuality, and I have met many lesbians so I can understand how difficult their lives can be," said Wu.

"Some lesbians get close with their partners, however, they are separated due to parental pressure and forced to accept heterosexual marriages. Some lesbians lived with their partners secretly.

"Here, I really appreciate a couple holding a public wedding ceremony. They are brave and frank. It is a pity, though, that they cannot receive a marriage certificate."

Yangcheng Evening News"


Source:
http://tongyulala.org/newsview_english.php?id=28

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