Tainan mayor William Lai announced Wednesday (27 January) evening the city would become the fourth Taiwanese city to register gay couples.

Kaohsiung, Taipei and Taichung have already put forward similar policies, and Kaohsiung and Taipei agreed to recognize couples registered in either city earlier this year.

Lai said the city government was currently drafting regulations, and would issue proof of registration and list partners on household certificates.

He also called on the central government to legislate protections for LGBTI people.

‘Tainan is an ancient capital, but we have always upheld an attitude of respect, understanding and tolerance to the city’s gay couples,’ Lai said.

‘As the central government is slow to legislate on this urgent need, the Tainan city government is willing to take concrete action to express support and protect the rights of same-sex couples.’

Taiwan does not recognize gay marriage. A gay marriage bill did pass its first reading in parliament in 2013, but has since been stalled by a small but vocal Christian minority.

However, LGBTI activists hope the island’s first female president Tsai Ing-wen, who was voted in earlier this month, will push the reform through during her term in office.