“Gay people should have the same marriage rights as heterosexual people,” said Chia Wei Chi, an LGBT Taiwanese activist who has fought for gay rights for more than 30 years.
Next year, Chi's dream might come true. Taiwan is poised then to become the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
The nation's highest court, the Judicial Yuan, ruled in favor of gay couples on May 24, 2017. Justices struck down language from the Civil Code that defined marriage as being only between a man and a woman. They ruled that the definition was “in violation of ... the people's right to equality.” The court gave the Legislative Yuan, the country's congress, two years to amend the code or enact new laws to carry out the ruling.
Today, there is still one year for Taiwan's government to formally legalize same-sex marriage. However, the fight for marriage equality is not that simple, and advocates continue to rally for change and critics work to limit it.
The Happiness Alliance, an anti-gay-marriage group, has proposed three referendums related to the issue, including a ban on teaching LGBT education in the schools. If the referendums qualify for the ballot and voters approve them, it is possible that they could delay the legalization of same-sex marriage.
“Education, culture and people's mindset are not ready. Our society has had conflicts because of the request to amend the Civil Code,” said Chi Cheng Sun, chairman of another group, the Stability of Power Alliance.
Three hearings were held in March to discuss the referendums. Anti-gay-marriage groups and LGBT alliances held press conferences to emphasize their views. The most controversial topic is whether LGBT education should be taught to elementary and high school children.
“We should not let them decide to be a boy or a girl,” said Hsien Ying Tseng, chairman of the Happiness Alliance, which opposes changing the Civil Code to allow same-sex marriage.
“LGBT people will not become heterosexual people whatever education you provide to them,” said Yu Jung Ho, a member of the Obasan Alliance.
On April 17, Taiwan's Central Election Commision approved the first stage of the process for the three referendums. In the second stage, the Happiness Alliance would have to collect more than 281,745 signatures within six months in order for the referendums to qualify for a nationwide vote at the end of 2018.
Is the country truly ready for same-sex marriage? We explore the question through Taiwanese on both sides of the issue, including profiles of several young LGBT advocates for civil rights. What is it about Taiwan that makes it the first place in Asia that may take this monumental step? What do opponents fear?
