Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan
Press Release
18 April 2018
Immediately release
Press Contact: Jennifer Lu, Coordinator of Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan | Telephone: +886 912-214-321 | Email: jenlutw@gmail.com
Anti LGBT Referenda Suppress Minority
Rhetoric of Discrimination Injures Taiwan's Democracy
Regarding the Passage of Anti Marriage Equality and Anti Gender Equality Education Referenda
Responding to the news that the Central Election Commission has agreed that three referenda proposals made by anti-LGBT organizations are qualified to enter the next phase, Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan expresses its deep concern and disappointment. The organization said that the Central Election Commission has ignored concerns from experts and academia that the proposals might be unconstitutional. Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan urges the civil society should continue communicating with friends and family and make more people understand LGBT community as well as the importance of protection of rights and make anti-LGBT rumors dissolved.
The coalition has released the following statements:
1. On 5 March, we released our public statement reminding the government that the three mentioned referenda proposals aim to 'exclude' and 'restrict' LGBT community. These proposals will injure our civil society. However, when gays and lesbians wish to attend previous referenda hearings as stakeholders, they were rejected by the Central Election Commission and not allowed to state their opinions at the hearings. The referenda proposals are passed and allowed to start the second phase of petition collection. We are disappointed and heartbroken at the same time that the process did not allow both sides to state their opinions. The government and the commission have allowed these vicious proposals that aimed at attacking LGBT to pass. Allowing the passage of unconstitutional referenda proposals blatantly disregards human rights. It is a heavy punch in Taiwan civil society which is eager to become a more diverse society that embraces different values. The referenda hurt all the LGBT families who are eager to receive legal and institutional protection. It is foreseeable that during the anti-LGBT referenda campaign, the LGBT community and Taiwanese citizen who pursue equality and diversity will be subjected to tides of malicious attacks and rhetorics of discrimination.
2. We would like to reiterate that the DPP ruling government should take up the full responsibility and fulfill marriage equality according to the resolution of the highest court through legislative and administrative means. It is the fundamental solution and should immediately be adopted in order to realize president Tsai Ing-wen's presidential campaign promise. From the United States, France, Canada to the United Kingdom, we see conflicts and controversy in civil society settled after the passage of marriage equality bills. In this critical moment, we call on the legislative Yuan immediately discuss and pass the marriage equality bill in order for the process of civil society.
3. The Coalition is currently building local communities and channels through capacity building workshops. Now, we need more people to join us and stop the referenda to be passed. As Taiwanese, we should stand up and speak out that we value diversity and equality. We are determined to safeguard our hard-won decision from the highest court. Please register and join our action now: https://goo.gl/forms/OxPNxAgzixcTFE032