Pictures: Seven Chinese couples get married in West Hollywood
Seven same-sex couples won the opportunity to have a dream wedding in America, since they can’t legally wed in China.
The “We Do” contest was sponsored by market giant Alibaba and gay dating app Blued. Winners were picked from 2,000 entrants, voted on by the public, who submitted videos detailing their love story.
The seven winning couples were flown to the famously gay friendly West Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California.
They exchanged rings, and said their vows in Chinese and English.
Xue Mengyao and Xu Na – the only lesbian couple – met at an LGBT centre in Beijing and have been together two years. But Xue hasn’t told her parents yet – and plans to come out with the wedding photos to show how happy she and her new wife are.
She said: “I hope [our marriage] is an encouragement to others. I hope they can get braver and everyone can find his or her happiness. I hope everyone can marry his or her loved one.”
Li Tao read out the message his mother had sent to congratulate him and his partner of eleven years: “This must be a very exciting moment in your life. As your mother, I wish you all the happiness forever.”
The weddings were officiated by mayor Lindsey Horvath who said: “We’re so honoured and happy to have them in West Hollywood.
“We’ve long been a community committed to equal rights for all people, and advancing and protecting the rights especially of our LGBT community.”
Photos via GLAAD.
