Date: 27May 2021

Abstract: Since Netherland first legalised same-sex marriage, the protection of marriage and civil partnershipfor same-sex couples has been practicing worldwide for twenty years.

What legal issues do same-sex couples face when they give birth to and raise children?

How should the parental claims and custody claims of same-sex couples be decided in view of China’s Civil Code?

Any example of protection of same-sex couples’ equal rights by legislationor in judicial practice in the international arena?

Speakers:

Yang Lixin, law professor at China’s Renmin University of China Law School, adjunct professor at National Prosecutors College, National School of Administration, Vice Chairman and Academic Committee Deputy Director of Civil Law Institute of China Law Society. He was the Judge of the Civil Division of the Supreme People’s Court, the Trial team leader of the Civil Division of the Supreme People’s Court, the Commissioner of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, and the Director of Civil and Administrative Prosecutor’s Office. He invloved in the drafting and amendment of many laws, including the Contract Law, the Property Law, the Tort Liability Law, and the Civil Code.

Boris Dittrich, the senator in the Dutch Senate. He worked as a lawyer in Amsterdam and later as a judge in the district court. He has drafted four Private Bills that have successfully become law. He was the first openly gay parliament member who focused on LGBT rights, and has been promoting and protecting LGBT people’s equality and non-discrimination globally for years.

Moderator:

Michael Liu, Director of Chinese Initiative on International Law. Received LLM from China’s Renmin University and pursuing a PhD degree in Leiden University, Netherland.