Taiwan: Same-Sex Marriage
By: Chika Hashimoto
Tags: Law, LGBTQ, Same Sex Marriage, Constitution, Taiwan

Taiwan: Same-Sex Marriage

After same-sex marriage has been legalized in Taiwan, there are some opposition voices emerged. Some people don’t really support government decisions because they think that same-sex marriage is unconventional, and it is problematic that this idea might profoundly affect their future child. Most of the voices are coming from the older generation; people’s age beyond sixty. I started to realize that there are substantial divergent views between the older generation and the younger generation. The word LGBTQ stands for a community, and each alphabet stands for a different meaning as well. L stands for lesbian, G stands for gay, B stands for bisexual, T stands for transgender, and last, Q stands for queer. Some people from the older generation might don’t really understand what LGBTQ is, they will unity call them gay in general, for me I found it to be so disrespect and also feeling upset about it.

Love is Love: no gender differences at all

As we knew, there is a huge divergent view on same-sex marriage between the older generation and the younger generation. Most of the elders do not agree on this event because on their perspective; they argue that marriage has always been between a man and a woman, so if we legalize same-sex marriage, it then redefines and destroys the original institution, which is not allowed. The most vital view they point out by saying that two people with same-sex cannot be able to procreate, which is not conducive to the family continuity and population development. Also, the older generations disagree the event by saying that same-sex marriage not only threatens the society but also undermine the traditional heterosexual marriage because then same-sex partners can afford the same fundamental rights as married couples; they think it is unfair for them to do so.

On the other hand, as the representation for the younger generation, I think that most of the young people are delighted about the event. In our perspective, people may decide their physiological gender when they are born; but when you fall in love with someone; it will be no difference no matter your love is a boy or a girl. It is always blessed that people have the chance to be able to love and which has nothing to do with gender. Loving someone should not be against or restricted by anyone; it can also be seen as the ending of discrimination, which enhances the human spirit makes our lives better as well.

The news also mentioned that the LGBTQ’s rights in Asia have been treated mostly biased and unfair. In China, homosexuality is legal but the discrimination and prejudices were still existing and it is still against the LGBTQ people in the environment. People are still found to have a prejudice against the LGBTQ community, treating them impolite and rude for no reason and that is pretty sad.

Therefore, as I am living in Japan right now, I am so curious about how most of the Japanese view on the event about Taiwan’s same-sex marriage; how they really thought about this event. I saw a Taiwanese YouTuber making this video by asking the Japanese what they feel about the event. Their responses make me so surprise because most of the Japanese hold on to a positive attitude toward this event. They think that due to the influence of foreign countries, Asia is gradually beginning to make some changes and the people these days are more and more accepting of the LGBTQ community. People said that, although Japan had not done much on it yet, the people are still hoping that the country can change, so that Japan an also become a more comfortable country for the LGBTQ community to live in. Furthermore, there is a piece of great news in Japan that just happened on the first day of July by telling the audience that Ibaraki, the prefecture near Tokyo has becomes the first prefecture to recognize same-sex couples. I feel so pleased that although it is just a tiny step, it is still a perfect opportunity for future progression; at least something has made a change, and some perspective does chance.

I will have to say that I supported same-sex marriage. I am proud that my country has passed this agreement and been a part of it. I am also glad to be able to share this blessing with everyone in the world as well and realize that hard works did pay off, and it’s worth it. I am very touched by the cohesion of the people and the attitude of the people that they work so hard for making this happen. Because of their effort, the LGBTQ group can be able to live in a country with people’s recognition and encouragement. Isn’t this the most important thing for everyone to be able to live in a democratic country with love and caring? People deserve to love who they want to love and also choose to marry whoever they love; there will be no distinction between men and women and no boundary between classes as well.

- Local Taiwanese news announced Taiwan for being a first Asia country to pass same-sex marriage.

*The link for the articles:

- https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/17/asia/taiwan-same-sex-marriage-intl/index.html

- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/05/24/asia-pacific/social-issues-asia-pacific/taiwan-poised-hold-first-gay-weddings-historic-day-asia/#.XSRKBNMktQJ

- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/06/24/national/first-ibaraki-prefecture-issue-partnership-certificates-lgbt-couples-july/#.XSSsjdMktQI

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-48309693/celebrations-as-taiwan-passes-same-sex-marriage-law