Tag: Taiwan

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McDonalds Taiwan Ad Features Son Coming Out To Dad

A new ad spot from McDonalds Taiwan has gotten a lot of attention for it’s depiction of a young man coming out to his father.

The short video shows a young man passing his coffee cup to his dad. Written on the side of the cup – “I like boys.”

The stern father looks upset and leaves his son at the table. But soon, the father returns, picks up his son’s cup of coffee, and adds to the son’s written comment so that it reads, “I accept that you like boys.”

As warm and fuzzy as it is, some folks on the religious right in Taiwan are not happy about the commercial.

From Business Insider:

The Facebook video has now been viewed more than 3.6 million times, with the original post gaining more than 92,000 likes, and 11,800 shares.

However, not all viewers support the ad’s heartwarming message.

The secretary general of the Alliance of Taiwan Religious Groups for the Protection of Family, Chang Shou-yi, has called for a McDonald’s boycot following the ad, reports Shanghaiist.

“Because McDonald’s is frequented by many children, it is especially important to oppose the promotion of same-sex behavior,” Chang said in a statement on the ad. The Alliance “rebukes and boycotts all enterprises that are polluting the next generation.”

Despite the hate, social media response to the ad has been overwhelmingly positive, both in Shanghai and as it has crossed over to Western media outlets.

Taiwan is considered one of the most progressive countries in Asia. While same-sex marriage is not yet legal there, recent polling shows over 70% support marriage equality.

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Taiwan Government To Introduce Same-Sex Marriage Legislation

Could Taiwan become the first region in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage?

From The Global Times:

Following the US Supreme Court’s decision on gay marriage in June, judicial authorities in Taiwan announced recently that they decided to draft a same-sex partnership law consistent with the global trend and changing public opinion.

They said when polls show that the region’s population is ready, a gay marriage law will be drafted.

Lo Ying-hsueh, head of Taiwan’s judicial body, said the government will put related bills on an online voting platform with the result to serve as a reference for the legislature, the Taiwan-based United Daily News reported Sunday.

A poll conducted by judicial authorities in 2013 shows that more than 53 percent support same-sex marriage.

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Taiwan: Thousands protest in opposition of marriage equality

Tens of thousands gathered in Taiwan’s capital in protest of a proposed bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

From Focus Taiwan:

The demonstrators, many of whom were parents and children, crowded Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office, raising pink placards that read “Made by Daddy and Mommy,” “Defend Marriage” and “Oppose Amendment to Civil Code Article 972,” which states that an agreement to marry shall be made by the “male” and “female” parties in a relationship.

The Coalition for the Happiness of Our Next Generation, one of the organizers of the event, argues that allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children will encourage “sexual liberation,” undermine traditional family values and confuse gender roles for children. Any changes to the marriage system should be put to a national referendum, the coalition said.

“God created human beings as male and female. Only the union of a man and a woman can create the next generation, and the ability to create offspring is an important function of a family,” said 40-year-old Ann Huang, who joined the rally with her friends.

The legislation passed in the national legislature on it’s first reading and is currently before committees.

According to BBC, polls show that while the country is divided on the issue, 53% of Taiwan supports marriage equality.

(via JMG)

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Taiwan: Tens of thousands march for marriage equality

Tens of thousands march in support of LGBT marriage rights in Taiwan

Tens of thousands marched in Taipei’s gay pride parade today in support of a marriage equality bill which is currently before the Taiwanese legislature.

Reuters has the story:

Taiwan’s legislature on Friday began a review of a gay marriage bill, which has the support of 53 percent of the public, according to a recent opinion poll, though acceptance of a gay family member remains low.

“Chinese families are still very traditional,” said Jennifer Lu of the counselling group Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association and one of the hosts on the centre stage. “People still emphasise having an heir and passing on the family name.” On a cool autumn day, the 11th annual parade was marked by colourful costumes, plenty of exposed skin, musical performances and vendors lining the route to and from the city hall.

Spokeswoman Meico Tsai praised the liberal attitudes that have put Taiwan far ahead of its neighbours in terms of tolerance of gays. “Compared to other Asian countries, we’re more open, but we still have a long way to go,” she said.

Sexual-orientation education is a part of the primary school curriculum and LGBT individuals enjoy legal protection from hiring discrimination and other forms of prejudice. “Korea is much more conservative,” said South Korean national Carmen Yoon, a first-time attendee. “I hope Taiwan will legalise gay marriage and we can follow their example.”

(h/t JMG)