TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The first cross-strait same-sex couple to register their marriage in Taiwan did so in Kaohsiung on Tuesday (Oct. 8).

The couple, married five years ago in the US, registered their marriage at Kaohsiung’s household registration office. Their successful registration follows an inter-government agency decision in September that relaxed the requirements for Taiwanese-Chinese couples to formalize their marriages in Taiwan.

Kaohsiung’s household registration office said the couple passed an interview last week with the immigration office as part of the process. “Congratulations to the two newlyweds for completing a lifelong event in Kaohsiung, and for finally becoming spouses,” the office said in a statement.

The couple did not publish their names but provided two photos for public release. They would prefer to keep a low profile, said a registration official.

The office said marriage equality should apply regardless of nationality and same-sex couples should enjoy the same rights as other couples in Taiwan. The event is historically significant for Kaohsiung as a “human rights city,” the office said.

The office noted that Kaohsiung became the first city to open marriage registration to same-sex couples in July 2014. Since then, it has worked to become a city that has recognition and respect for diverse genders and sexualities.