Written By: Chloe Wang
Introduction
Before marriage equality was granted by the Taiwanese Constitutional Court in 2019, the country was split between opposing and supporting parties, both socially and politically. While conservative groups opposed legalization, it was still embraced as a symbol of progressiveness and inclusivity.
The Impact of Confucianism
Marriage equality was opposed in Taiwan before its legalization in 2019 from as early as the 1990s due to the belief that the ideal family structure only exists within heterosexuality. As the debate on legally recognizing same-sex marriage progressed, the idea of maintaining a traditional family structure surged in popularity.
Mirroring Confucian society, family is used in Taiwan as a basis for society and is considered the most sacred relationship. However, Confucian ideas such as filial piety – respecting and tending to the elderly – and patriarchy were preserved over time. Fathers and mothers played essential roles in the reproduction and upbringing of children. Many began to question if a family could function without one or the other, which led to a significant percentage of people who grew to disfavor the marriage equality movement, framing legalization as an attack on traditional values.
Therefore, by drawing conclusions from Confucian society when contextualizing traditional familial structures, Taiwanese people began opposing same-sex marriage.
Public and Political Support
However, since the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR) was established in 2009, Taiwan has been considered one of the most LGBTQ-friendly nations in Asia. The group consisted of “queer, feminist women,” including Victoria Hsiu-wen, a prominent participant in the Women’s Rights Movement a few years prior.
The first pride parade was held on November 1, 2003, in which over 20,000 participants participated. The government gave the community 70,000 NT (2378 USD) to hold the event. Ma Ying-Jeou, Taipei’s mayor at the time, publicly announced his support, stating that as an international city, Taipei should respect individuals of all groups and cultures.
Whether or not Taiwanese people support same-sex marriage, they have always respected peace and unity. Confucianism manifested from the Han Dynasty into modern-day Taiwan as an attitude of compassion, perseverance, and gratitude. Conclusively, it can not be argued that opposition was solely what made up the Taiwanese population before 2019 because the pro-LGBTQ+ community grew in strength and unity using explicit political support.
Media Coverage
Furthermore, through film, novels, and other forms of media, Taiwan conveyed its support for marriage equality and LGBT inclusivity before 2019 and has done so since the 90s.
Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee is known widely for his works The Wedding Banquet (1993) and Brokeback Mountain (2005), both of which showcase explicit queer content. In 1994, the critically acclaimed novel, Notes of a Crocodile was released in Taiwan by author Miaojin Qiu. The coming-of-age novel explores the messy lives of a group of queer misfits and the relationships between them alongside others studying at Taiwan's most prestigious university. Ta-wei Chi released The Membranes in 1996, now a Taiwanese classic of queer fiction. Depicting the late twenty-first century, the book focuses on Momo, a dermal care technician rediscovering the boundaries of self and gender. This reveals that LGBT support was at a steady rate of growth in film and media as early as 1993. The abundance of representation in film and literature began normalizing LGBTQ+ people and relationships and allowed the marriage equality movement to progress.
Opposition
Despite an overwhelming amount of support, many still opposed the marriage equality movement in Taiwan before its eventual officialization in 2019. An example would be the commonly held belief that arguments supporting same-sex marriage can also be used to support polygamy and bestiality (sexual relations between a human being and an animal), then destroying the traditional concept of marriage. Putting same-sex marriage on the same level as socially rejected concepts such as polygamy and bestiality created an outlet for people to promote homophobia and anti-LGBT rhetoric.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite being legalized in 2019, historical opposition to the movement on equal marriage rights in Taiwan reflects the ongoing difficulties minority groups have in overcoming traditional beliefs and highlights the importance of continued education and advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues.
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