Berkley Center

In Taiwan, as in the United States, there is a prominent public discussion about gay marriage, and, like in the West, there are important cultural and historic perspectives that influence both sides of the discussion. While Christianity seems to be the dominant force against gay marriage in the United States, religion conversely plays a diminished role in Taiwanese society. Rather, traditional family expectations and gender roles form the basis of opposition to gay marriage in Taiwan.

In Chinese history, literature since the Shang dynasty has contained references to gay relationships. Long Yang and Yu Tao, two characters from literature of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods in Chinese history, have even come to represent homosexuality in modern writing. One scholar notes that “Before the Han dynasty, almost every emperor had some type of gay partner” (Yang 2012:17). During the Ming dynasty, gay relationships were especially prevalent, and many were recognized in a contractual way similar to marriage. This was known as qi xiongdi—“contractual brothers.” A ceremony was conducted in the same fashion as a straight couple, and one partner (usually the younger) was expected to fulfill traditional roles of the wife (Guo 2012). Perhaps most interestingly, Guo’s article credits the diminished acceptance of these gay relationships in Chinese society to the influence of traditional Western attitudes against homosexuality.

The practice of one same sex partner fulfilling a traditionally “male” role and the other the “female” role is also reflected in today’s culture. For one course this semester, I am part of a group conducting interviews with a MTF [male-to-female] bisexual transgender woman and her lesbian partner, known as Zhuzi and Weizi, respectively. In the relationship, Zhuzi is usually called Laopo, a Chinese term for wife, and Weizi is called Laogong for husband. Additionally, the expectation of children is placed on gay couples’ shoulders, and a preference is overwhelmingly given to biological children over adopted children. It will be interesting to observe the changes in Taiwanese and Chinese society as gay relationships become more mainstream.

Gay marriage was first brought up in the Taiwanese legislature in 2003 with the “Basic Human Rights Act,” though the bill was tabled and never entered the legislative process. Another bill, the “Gay Marriage Act” of 2007, was sent back to the procedural committee by opponents and hasn’t been considered (Yang 2012: 21). Currently, the “Marriage Equality Act” has been handed to the legislature and has sparked intense debate in Taiwanese civil society. The act would amend the definition of legal marriage to include relationships “regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender expression” (see details and follow progress here). Opposition, led largely by the Taiwan Family Foundation which supports “blessings for the next generation” as a platform against gay marriage, organized a demonstration on November 30 this year. Between 15,000 and 50,000 supporters of the organization turned out against the amendment. Conversely, only 600 supporters of the amendment turned out. However, the loudest voices or the most visible bodies do not always represent the majority.

Since 2001, churches including the Tong Kuang Presbyterian Church have held public gay commitment ceremonies throughout Taiwan. In 2003, Taiwan Public Television adapted a 1980s novel about Taiwanese homosexuality into a popular TV drama. And Taiwanese director Ang Lee has received praise for his depiction of gay topics in his films including Brokeback Mountain and The Wedding Banquet. This year marked the eleventh consecutive gay pride parade in Taipei, one of the largest in Asia with crowds in the tens of thousands. A survey this year by the Taiwanese Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights found that 53 percent of Taiwanese support gay marriage and 29 percent of respondents said their attitude toward gay marriage changed from 10 years ago. Between 20 and 29 year olds, 78 percent support gay marriage. Zhuzi and Weizi have found that in their experience, even if people are unable to understand their gender identity or sexual orientation, many still wish them well.

Chinese culture has a very long gay history, but attitudes are still evolving today. Defeated twice previously in the Taiwanese legislature, gay marriage in Taiwan is facing a critical moment with the recent proposed amendment, a moment American states are currently facing as well. Taiwan is extraordinarily progressive in Asia, especially compared with mainland China. Here, an active civil society is discussing history, tradition, culture, and religion as Taiwan faces age-old and modern questions of gender and sexuality, and I am glad to have a front row seat.