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8 Jul 2014

Politicians and religious leaders’ nexus thwarts equality legislation in Taiwan

Religious leaders and politicians have formed a strategic alliance to halt the furthering of equality legislation that seeks to end anti gay discrimination and allow same-sex couples to marry.

 

“Over the past decade they have formed strategic coalitions to wage anti-gay campaigns to influence government policy,” says Ho Yi in a two-part series appearing in the ‘Taipei Times’ that examines the part Buddhist, Christian and Taoist religious leaders play in halting equality laws that seek to address anti-gay discrimination.
Easy access to politicians, lobbying and pressuring the government and legislature are some of the questionable ways conservative religious groups use to “set their own political agenda,” the report said.
“Some lawmakers hold posts in religious groups and tend to represent their interests. But a lawmaker needs to separate the job from his or her faith,” Legislator Cheng Li-chun who maintains that religion exerts significant influence on policy-making decisions and is a cause for great concern.
Cheng was quoted as saying that though individuals and institution are entitled to political advocacy, lobbying should never involve any form of discrimination or disregard for human rights.
“The opponents of same-sex marriage use false information to defame… They adopt discriminatory language aiming to attack, calling homosexuality a disease at public hearings… If Taiwan had an anti-discrimination law, they would go to jail for what they say,” she said.
Cheng, who in October introduced amendments to Article 972 of the Civil Code in the legislature to allow same-sex unions, has been subjected to crank calls and malicious online propaganda accusing her of destroying families.
Yu Mei-nu, another legislator who supports Cheng’s initiative, said her office has been bombarded with phone calls by angry citizens who “scold and scream from day to night.”
Religious authorities also deploy representatives to meet with high-ranking politicians such as Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng to express their opposition to same-sex marriage, say Yu and Cheng.
Consequently, most lawmakers find the bill a political hot potato and choose to stay away from it, they say.
“When everyone at the legislature avoids taking a stand on the issue, then you get no discussion or debate. When people choose not to see it, the bill is dead,” Yu adds.
At present, the proposed amendments have been referred to the legislature’s Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee for further discussion.
However, the current co-chairs of the committee have yet to schedule meetings to review the amendments and have no intention of doing so, says Yu.
Victoria Hsu, chief executive officer of the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights, says her group has been preparing to file lawsuits against government agencies to challenge laws that discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation.


“Over the past decade they have formed strategic coalitions to wage anti-gay campaigns to influence government policy,” says Ho Yi in a two-part series appearing in the ‘Taipei Times’ that examines the part Buddhist, Christian and Taoist religious leaders play in halting equality laws that seek to address anti-gay discrimination.

Easy access to politicians, lobbying and pressuring the government and legislature are some of the questionable ways conservative religious groups use to “set their own political agenda,” the report said.

“Some lawmakers hold posts in religious groups and tend to represent their interests. But a lawmaker needs to separate the job from his or her faith,” Legislator Cheng Li-chun who maintains that religion exerts significant influence on policy-making decisions and is a cause for great concern.

Cheng was quoted as saying that though individuals and institution are entitled to political advocacy, lobbying should never involve any form of discrimination or disregard for human rights.

“The opponents of same-sex marriage use false information to defame… They adopt discriminatory language aiming to attack, calling homosexuality a disease at public hearings… If Taiwan had an anti-discrimination law, they would go to jail for what they say,” she said.

Cheng, who in October introduced amendments to Article 972 of the Civil Code in the legislature to allow same-sex unions, has been subjected to crank calls and malicious online propaganda accusing her of destroying families.

Yu Mei-nu, another legislator who supports Cheng’s initiative, said her office has been bombarded with phone calls by angry citizens who “scold and scream from day to night.”

Religious authorities also deploy representatives to meet with high-ranking politicians such as Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng to express their opposition to same-sex marriage, say Yu and Cheng.

Consequently, most lawmakers find the bill a political hot potato and choose to stay away from it, they say.

“When everyone at the legislature avoids taking a stand on the issue, then you get no discussion or debate. When people choose not to see it, the bill is dead,” Yu adds.

At present, the proposed amendments have been referred to the legislature’s Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee for further discussion.

However, the current co-chairs of the committee have yet to schedule meetings to review the amendments and have no intention of doing so, says Yu.

Victoria Hsu, chief executive officer of the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights, says her group has been preparing to file lawsuits against government agencies to challenge laws that discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation.

 

Reader's Comments

1. 2014-07-08 23:00  
Some people keep using the family value or religious excuses to against the human basic right! That is unfortunate.

Do these people even read the human history? Family value and religious thinking various from culture, beliefs and time.

Only the universal basic human right and equality are the cornerstone that build our modern society today.
2. 2014-07-08 23:22  
Down with the heterosexual hegemony!
3. 2014-07-09 00:07  
well pity all the gay people couldnt move to Canada where you have acceptance.
4. 2014-07-09 00:21  
If the tables were turned and the discrimination were aimed at the religious people you would sure hear them howl. It's ironic that chistians, who constantly whine about how they are persecuted, cannot wait to practice persecution on some other minority. There should be no place in government for religion. It never works out well.
5. 2014-07-09 01:10  
Heterosexual only marriage has worked well for thousands of years. In fact, every gay owes their existence to it.
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14. 2014-07-09 03:44  
Heterosexual marriage has NOT worked well for thousands of years InRehab! Check facts and alternatives, and you will find that the institution has only worked because it was FORCED on society as an acceptable norm and was all about property, control and dominance.
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23. 2014-07-09 03:44  
Heterosexual marriage has NOT worked well for thousands of years InRehab! Check facts and alternatives, and you will find that the institution has only worked because it was FORCED on society as an acceptable norm and was more about property, control and dominance.
Comment #24 was deleted by its author on 2014-07-09 03:45
25. 2014-07-09 03:44  
Heterosexual marriage has NOT worked well for thousands of years InRehab! Check facts and alternatives, and you will find that the institution has only worked because it was FORCED on society as an acceptable norm and was more about property, control and dominance.
26. 2014-07-09 04:20  
Perhaps scientific research would be useful in Taiwan to help build a case. Here is an article reporting on a recent study of Australian subjects in the matter of parenting by same-sex couples:

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/7/5873781/largest-ever-study-of-same-sex-couples-kids-finds-theyre-better-off?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=voxdotcom&utm_content=monday

Abstract of the mentioned research article here:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/14/635/abstract

It would be wise to keep in mind that "heterosexual marriage" is not the sole means of rearing children, and any debate should consider the wide array of possibilities. My understanding is that Chinese (and other peoples) have historically relied upon a variety of parenting patterns to raise children, including have a single grandparent to raise a child.
27. 2014-07-09 04:22  
I would go further - all organised religions are a human invention. They were created by serious thinkers long after the practice of religion which was an early attempt by awe-struck people to appease the invisible forces of nature. Religions are attempts to provide a framework in which people can live in peace and harmony - eg the 10 commandments - now notably ignored by these same religions when they attempt to dominate others.

@ riccawthra Marriage has worked well, it is the humans that damage it by selfish attitudes - marriage requires considerable hard work and mutual self sacrifice. Self centred people cause it to fail - whoever the people - hetero or homo.
28. 2014-07-09 07:11  
all religions are really cults with one leader who is followed and worshipped even after long periods of time.
therefore you have believers and non believers.
29. 2014-07-09 17:06  
Someone should counter with posters using the same pic with the words "Made by an unmarried couple. Is that okay with the church?"
Or maybe "Made with some guy but he's not around. Mommy is raising me alone."
How about simply using a male and a female symbol with the word "Oops!"
These nut jobs will use any excuse to get the sheep that follow them to give more money to the "cause".
30. 2014-07-09 23:06  
One day when the world is over-crowded, everyone will be begging for no more baby to be born!!!
31. 2014-07-10 10:34  
Shouldn't these freaks be saying, "made by God," if they're really faithful, religious, or actually believe in such a thing.....stupid humans! Baaaahahahahaha!!! All their notions are for nothing when their so-called savior is just a figment of their imagination. It's universal flow, you stupid fucks! Neither science, religion, nor the petty and pathetic efforts of human thought.

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