Thousands of gay rights supporters marched through Taipei yesterday, months ahead of elections that are likely to usher in a pro-gay party and could make Taiwan the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.
Protesters waved rainbow flags, lit candles and shouted “gay votes are still votes” as they marched between parliament and the headquarters of Taiwan’s two main political parties.
The recent US Supreme Court decision legalising gay marriage has given a renewed push to the movement in Taiwan, where a marriage bill has been held up in parliament ahead of January elections.
“Taiwan society has reached the point of acceptance of gay marriage,” said protester Rafael Tsai. “It’s a shame our politicians don’t seem to be on the same level as the people.”
Taiwan is one of Asia’s most gay-friendly places, boasting a vibrant social scene and little overt discrimination. Polls show a majority in favour of gay marriage, and a recent study commissioned by the Ministry of Justice advocated legalisation.
There is no formal recognition of same-sex couples, however, and many young people are still reluctant to come out to their parents.
“There’s a huge generational split on the issue,” said Mei-Nu Yu, main author of the stalled marriage bill.
“The opponents mostly come from the older generation, who also happen to be the most heavily represented among lawmakers.”
Yu’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supports gay causes more than the ruling Nationalist party. The marriage push in proudly democratic Taiwan has not elicited a response from the mainland, which views the island as a renegade province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control.
Representatives from both the Nationalists and DPP came out to address the marchers and voiced their support. Activists, however, lamented the reticence among the overall Taiwanese political establishment to touch the issue.