Society

Gay couple want more understanding

By Zhao Chunzhe (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-01-26 11:41

China's first gay couple,?who openly "got married" on Jan 3, want more understanding from society and hope to get an official marriage certificate, the Beijing News reported today.

Zeng Anquan (L) and Pan Wenjie?(R)

[the Beijing News]

The couple, Zeng Anquan and Pan Wenjie, "fell in love at first sight" when they met at a bar in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province.

Zeng is 46 years old and has a daughter from a 26-year marriage. Pan, 27, confessed to his parents that he is more into men after the failure of many blind-dates arranged by his family.

"I don't feel well when I am with a woman, but I could not speak about it in the past. When Pan planned a surprise wedding for me, I was shocked at first but on second thought, said, 'Why not'" Zeng said.

But Zeng said publicity about their marriage is creating new pressures for the couple. "Every day, a dozen of people watch us where we live. It's inconvenient and awkward for us," he said.

The couple wants a marriage certificate to seal their love, even though they both face angry families at home.

"We go on TV shows and interviews, and all we want is more understanding from society. I want more gay people to say, 'This is how we live and it's not wrong,'" Zeng said.