California Will Invite 10 Gay Couples From China In Wedding Contest

International Valentine's Contest Aims To 'Evoke Respect And Understanding Of Homosexuality'
In a picture taken on March 8, 2011 gay couples kiss during their ceremonial 'wedding' as they try to raise awareness of the issue of homosexual marriage, in Wuhan, in central China's Hubei province. Homosexuality was considered a mental disorder in China until 2001. Today, gays face crushing social and family pressure and many remain in the closet as a result, despite gradual steps towards greater acceptance. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
In a picture taken on March 8, 2011 gay couples kiss during their ceremonial 'wedding' as they try to raise awareness of the issue of homosexual marriage, in Wuhan, in central China's Hubei province. Homosexuality was considered a mental disorder in China until 2001. Today, gays face crushing social and family pressure and many remain in the closet as a result, despite gradual steps towards greater acceptance. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

SHANGHAI, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Ten same-sex couples from China will tie the knot in California this summer after winning a week-long wedding and honeymoon package in an online contest sponsored by a maker of bed linen.

More than 75,000 votes were cast to pick the lucky couples in a three-day contest organized by Taobao, China's biggest e-commerce marketplace, ahead of the Valentine's Day weekend.

Same-sex marriage is illegal in China, but Taobao, run by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, "hopes to evoke respect and understanding of homosexuality and support the realization of dreams," Alibaba spokeswoman Melanie Lee said on Thursday.

"It's more of a symbolic kind of gesture."

Homosexuality remains a largely taboo subject in the world's most populous nation thanks to decades of prudish Communist rule, despite numerous references in classical Chinese literature.

Social pressures usually ensure few people are openly gay in China, although there is a thriving gay scene in bigger cities.

Alibaba worked with four lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups to shortlist 20 couples from more than 400 applicants. Taobao users then voted for the prize winners.

California is one of more than 30 U.S. states where same-sex marriage is legal.

Taobao posted a letter from John D'Amico, mayor of the Los Angeles suburb of West Hollywood, welcoming LGBT couples from China to exchange vows in his town and congratulating them on their "love, courage and commitment for each other."

The main contest sponsor, Bliss, makes bedsheets. (Reporting by John Ruwitch; Editing by Tony Tharakan and Clarence Fernandez)

Before You Go

The sun will rise in the morning, not because we voted for it, but rather because of some force we have no control over!
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Plants will use that sunlight for photosynthesis and then expel oxygen. Right in public, where children can see!
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Oxygen will enter your lungs and bloodstream, and you'll have to let it happen if you want to live here!
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Your muscles will take the oxygen from your blood. Just like that. Oh, you're welcome muscles.
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Then, in return, your body is basically ordered to give up its carbon dioxide! You earned that carbon dioxide!
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You'll be up and about in the morning because you can't sleep anymore. Again, essentially against your will!
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For breakfast you'll toast a bagel and spread some imitation butter on it, which is totally unnatural!
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You'll hop into a car and drive to your job -- show us where THAT'S mentioned in the Bible!
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And then you'll return home after a long day's work and watch some TV before falling asleep on your couch. The couch isn't made for that, beds are! Just because you can fall asleep on your couch doesn't make it right!
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