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Taiwan gay rights activists nervous ahead of referendum clash
TAIPEI, Nov 23, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Activists in Taiwan, which has earned a
reputation as a regional trailblazer on gay rights, fear that an upcoming
referendum could turn back the clocks on marriage equality.
Liberal and conservative groups will do battle in an island-wide vote
Saturday that taps in to one of the island’s most incendiary social issues.
Taiwan’s top court in May 2017 legalised same-sex marriage — the first
place in Asia to do so — and called for it to be implemented within two
years.
But the government has made little progress towards bringing in the
mandatory change as it comes under pressure from conservative campaigners.
“Pro-family” activists have put forward three referendums calling for
marriage to be legally defined as between a man and a woman, for a separate
law to be enacted for same-sex unions, and for education on LGBT issues not
to be compulsory in schools.
Although the government has made clear the referendum results will not
impact the court’s original decision, LGBT campaigners fear a defeat could
mean their new rights will be more limited when they come in to force.
Pro-gay groups have brought two rival referendums calling for equal
marriage rights and promoting education on gender equality — including
different sexual orientations.
“We are very nervous, it’s like a tug-of-war war,” said Jennifer Lu, a
spokeswoman for the Marriage Equality Coalition which is backing the votes.
“We hope that love and equality will win,” added Suki Chung, East Asia
Campaigner at Amnesty International.
“However, if the opposite happens then the government must not use the
result as cover to water down same-sex marriage proposals,” she said.
Conservative campaigners accuse the court of making a political decision
that did not take into account public views.
“We think the Constitutional Court’s ruling has created more problems
rather than resolving them,” said Yu Hsin-Yi, spokesman for the Coalition for
the Happiness of our Next Generation, adding he was “cautiously optimistic”
about the vote.
A survey released by the Taiwan Public Opinions Foundation last week showed
77 percent agreed with the referendum proposal that a marriage should be
between a man and a woman, with 65 disagreeing that the current Civil Code
should be amended to include same-sex unions.
If more than 25 percent of around 19.75 million eligible voters across the
island vote in favour, and providing the “yes” votes surpass “no” votes, the
government must draw up a bill that reflects the results — which then goes
to a parliamentary vote.
Celebrities including famous Taiwanese dancer Lin Hwai-min have voiced
support for the pro-gay referendums.
Local and international firms including Google and Deutsche Bank have also
said they support full equality.
Conservative groups have created YouTube videos explaining their stance but
insisting they are not anti-gay rights.
Social media forums have been rife with posts arguing that allowing gay
marriage would increase the number of foreigners with HIV coming to Taiwan to
take advantage of its healthcare system.
The votes are among 10 referendums on a raft of issues which will run
alongside Taiwan’s local elections Saturday.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1230 hrs