24 Dec 2013

Taiwanese Pop-star A-mei Holds Free Concert in Support of Same-sex Marriage

Taiwanese pop superstar A-mei performed a free concert in support of same-sex marriage on Sunday to the delight of nearly 20,000 fans.

 

Fans of Taiwanese pop singer A-mei queued for over 6 hours to attend her concert in support of same-sex marriage in Taiwan. The concert was held at Huashan 1914 Creative Park on Sunday evening and was free to attend.

The wind and rain did not put off fans who enjoyed A-mei’s hits including  ‘Sisters’, ‘Can I hug you lover?’ and of course ‘Rainbow’. A-mei told the crowd that she had three points to make: “First, love. Second, respect everyone’s love. Third, support true love.”

Not only was the concert completely free for fans, the singer made no sponsorship deal and footed the entire bill herself, estimated at 100,000 US dollars. Organizing the concert in just 11 days, A-mei stated on her facebook page that she “wanted to cheer for every single heart that is defending true love … This is a small effort I can make as a singer.”

The 41 year old singer and LGBT equality advocate was the first to sign a petition for same-sex marriage in Taiwan. A draft bill to legalize same-sex marriage and also allow gay couples to adopt children is moving through the Legislative Yuan. Last month, however, tens of thousands of people took to Taipei’s streets in protest of the draft bill.