Taiwan lesbian fights court over baby rights

Supporters of a local gay group display placards that read "how much longer for gay couple to wait" outside the Shihlin district court in Taipei on March 13, 2015. Neal Wang (3rd-R), a gay activist, said she was appealing a court ruling against her request to adopt her partner's children in the first case of its kind on the island. AFP PHOTO

It is the first time that a lesbian has tried to adopt children her partner had through artificial insemination and comes as public support grows for gay rights and same-sex marriage in Taiwan, one of Asia’s more liberal societies.

Neal Wang, 36, wanted to formally adopt the children that she and her partner of 15 years planned together and now co-parent. Wang’s partner, Ashley Chou, gave birth to their twins -- one boy, one girl -- who are now three.