Chi Chia-wei has fought for gay rights for over 30 years, and is a key player in Taiwan’s move towards legalizing same-sex marriage – a first in Asia if realized. He speaks about his long crusade.
The following are excerpts from our interview.
In order for gay couples to truly have equal rights in society, we should have the right to marry and have a family, like heterosexual couples.
For the first 20 years, I was a one-man force. I was negotiating with different governmental departments. I pressed for the Taiwanese legislature to write up a bill. Maybe my ideals were too advanced at the time, but no official paid me any attention. To them, same-sex marriage violated public order and morals, and I was going against traditional Taiwanese culture.
From a little while ago, young people started creating various organizations, for causes such as gay rights and AIDS advocacy. Over 100 of them have been established. The youths said my fight had given them courage. My work had provided them with a foundation. It’s like the Chinese idiom, “the predecessor plants trees for the successor to enjoy the cool breeze.”
Society’s norms don’t change in a short period of time. Yesterday and today won’t feel that different. But in 10, 20, and 30 years, there can be huge changes.