[essay/小品文/短論] Same Sex Marriage/台灣同性婚姻合法化

2017年，台灣立法院通過同志婚姻合憲，當時大一的我在電腦教室邊看線上記者會，得知這個消息，緊接著著手撰寫esaay。雖然為一寫作課內的練習，至今閱讀，仍感情緒澎湃。正如魯迅所言，如果在一個逃不出的鐵屋內，作為獨醒之人，得叫醒所有人，大家齊力搖晃，便有了那一絲掙脫的可能。

2021年的今日，同性婚姻以專法的型態暫且同性伴侶的權益，但尚未完整，例如同志伴侶之撫養與領養的手續與困難度。

回顧這篇essay，同時正閱讀並追蹤一文化現象。那便是，人們正評論兩大近期賣座電影，消失的情人節與當男人戀愛時，是否可能兼顧主題與導演手法之餘，消除騷擾女性的情節，體現當代時空背景之下的性別互動？

我深知性別平等這哩路，還沒走完。

一步一腳印，我們絕不放棄。

On May 24, 2017, Taiwan’s top court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. Ban on it is now regarded as unconstitional for excluding the right of same-sex couples. The landmark decision, also the first one in Asia, extends the definition of marriage in law. And we make a big step toward marriage equality. Outside the Legislative Yuan, however, gather heated backlashes that call for “normal” ethic in family. Even those who are on the fence assume the issue should hold on until the society becomes more tolerant of alternative sexual orientations. In my opinion, marriage equality is a human right and below is my argument.

First, I’ll start with the neutral party. They’d rather stay silent, seeing protest as trouble. The truth is, in historical events, revolution actualizes equality, while silence results in a massive misery. In 1955, for example, Rosa Parker, a black woman labeled as a second-class citizen at the time, rejected to yield her seat to a white man. It later triggered activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr. to protest against inequality of black people. In 1966, the abrupt breakout of Stonewall Riots voiced anger to anti-gay inspection by the police, which brought on fights for justice of LGBTQ groups. Recently, Revolution of Jasmine has swept through the Middle East and Africa in 2010, demanding democracy with an enlightened ruler. On the contrary, one of the greatest scars of history, World War II, sprung from silence. The US, the overlord after World War I, didn't stand up and condemn Fascism. Rather, it oversaw World War II as another European affair. Hence, hell fire had gutted the world from 1939 to 1945, causing deaths over 70 millions. As mentioned above, revolution stands for the demolition of tradition and elimination of authority. Muteness only fuels a rage of injustice, and unfortunately, no one can escape. Keeping neutral, therefore, does harm to the society.

As for protestors against marriage equality, it's possible that the fear of alienation with mainstream turns into an anti-gay attitude. Take a close look at those who degrade and despise LGBTQ groups. It can be surprising that they are decent people in everyday life but become irrational on this issue. Interestingly, schizophrenia comes from an urge to conform to mainstream values. For example, the norm of higher education, middle-class salary, and marriage before thirty, etc., is indispensable to” normal” identity. In their perception, complexity of life is reduced to a formula. Their argument, as a result, includes three main points. That is, infertility as failure in marriage, misunderstanding gays as humans of genes mutation and confusing titles of mother or father in a same-sex family. All viewpoints are based on one panic: the derailment from the norm. Here's an example that clearly explains it. I have once asked Mom if she was with the LGBTQ right. She only uttered the word "respect" and later committed that the aberration form heterosexuality worried her if a child would alienate herself from family. Nevertheless, the "disorder" is a reformation of kinship relationship. It also reveals life politics: it is you who decide your identity.

Legalization of same-sex marriage, which is also an inspiring victory to equality, however, still gets a long way to go. The Grand Judges give Taiwan government two years to implement the ruling, though recognition of gay marriage takes effect immediately upon the day of approval. Whether marital rights of same sex couples will adapt a separate system or Civil Code, it is a historical moment to foresee the equality of LGBTQ groups. I am so honored to be a participant in this movement and a witness of a “brave new world.”