Same-sex marriages on rise in Northern Marianas

2:49 pm on 25 April 2017

Chinese same-sex couples are flocking to the Northern Marianas to take their vows in unprecedented numbers.

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Photo: 123rf

Since 2015 when same-sex marriage was legalised in the US and its protectorates, there has been an incremental jump in the number of same-sex marriages on Saipan, the majority of which involve Chinese tourists.

In 2015 the Saipan Mayor's Office officiated over 12 same-sex marriages, six of which were for Chinese tourists.

Last year there was a significant jump, with 30 marriage licenses issued for same sex couples, 25 of which were Chinese.

This month another six same-sex marriages were officiated by the mayor's office, all of them involving Chinese tourists.

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