The gay couple in Taiwan who were suing Taipei city government for not recognizing their marriage confirmed yesterday that they are dropping their case.

After warning last week that he was considering giving up his legal fight for same-sex marriage rights, Nelson Chen (Chen Ching-hsueh) announced at a press conference yesterday that he had 'lost his faith in the judiciary'.

The issue of same-sex marriage is to be heard by Taiwan’s Supreme Justices, or Judicial Yuan, in what could result in a landmark ruling and the first legal same-sex marriages in Asia if the case is a success.

Chen Ching-hsueh and long term partner Kao Chih-wei filed a complaint with the Taipei High Administrative Court earlier this year after a local household registration agency refused register their marriage.

The High Administrative Court in Taipei yesterday heard the case of a gay couple who are suing the city to have their relationship legally recognized.

The lawyer for Nelson Chen (also known as Chen Ching-Hseuh) and Kao Chih-wei is arguing that Taiwan's civil code does not clearly state that marriage is between a man and a woman.

A few weeks ago over 50,000 people marched for LGBT rights in Taipei - massively dwarfing any other Pride marches in Asia.

Gay Star News talks to Taiwanese gay rights activist Nelson Chen who is suing Taipei City Council to register his marriage. He talks about the history of the LGBT rights movement in Taiwan, why not all of the gay community supports the idea of government-sanctioned marriage and how he believes gay marriage will come to Taiwan by 2016.

Does the government support gay marriage in Taiwan?

Taiwan Pride, the biggest pride march in Asia, is on Saturday (27 October) with 50,000 people expected to march through the streets of Taipei. The organizers have released another two promotional videos, in addition to this one released earlier this month.

Many people travelling to Asia usually take in China, Japan and Hong Kong but overlook the gem that is Taiwan.

The capital of Taiwan, Taipei, is probably Asia’s most liberal and gay friendly city.

And there's no better time to party there than in a week's time when on Saturday (27 October) it will host Asia’s largest LGBT Pride march. The city hopes to top the 30,000-plus attendees of 2011.

A lesbian couple tied the knot amid the blessings on monks and nuns in Taiwan's first high profile Buddhist same-sex wedding today.

In what is believed also to be the first such ceremony in Asia, Fish Huang and her partner of seven year You Ya-ting walked down the aisle in white bridal gowns this morning (11 Aug) in a monastery in Taoyuan, near Taipei.

Taiwan has seen as many as 30 percent more gay-themed books published and sold in recent years, partly driven by young women readers, according to bookstore statistics.

To tap the business opportunities, leading Taiwanese book chain Kingstone Bookstore will be holding a book fair from 20 June to 31 July on gay-themed books, whose publication and sales have both jumped by 20, 30 precent in recent years.

The mothers of the Taiwanese gay couple fighting to have their marriage formally registered have appeared in court with their sons.

There was not much anger at the Taipei High Administrative Court yesterday (10 Apr). Instead, it was more of a heartwarming day that saw the couple’s parents, the judge and even the official sued showing their support one way or another.

A leading Taiwanese singer will sell 10,000 rainbow flags during the upcoming concerts at home to raise funds for an HIV/AIDS group.

Long-term LGBT rights supporter A-Mei Chang Hui-mei - who has been on her ‘AMeiZing’ world tour to celebrate the 15^th anniversary of her singing career from September – will be selling rainbow flags and distributing red ribbons during the six concerts in Taipei, starting from Friday (30 March).