A view on same-sex marriage from Taiwan...

[Sephirstein]

"Same-sex unions

According to a report in your paper, Ma Chih-kai (°¨¸X³Í), a 25-year-old music teacher married Scott Simon, a 38-year-old Canadian in Ontario ("Taiwan-ese teacher marries his male partner in Canada," July 31, page 2). This was the province's first same-sex marriage since its government legitimized such unions. It also served as a milestone for the gay communities both in Taiwan and Canada.

By allowing same-gender couples to legally form families we can enable them to enjoy the rights and privileges afforded to all married "straight" couples -- such as automatic inheritance, hospital visitation, to make medical or healthcare decisions on behalf of one's partner and greater access to insurance and credit, among other benefits.

The draft of Taiwan's basic human rights law (¤HÅv«O»Ù°ò¥»ªk) -- proposed in 2001 by the Ministry of Justice -- stipulates that gays and lesbians shall be allowed to organize families and to adopt children. This will help this country avoid discrimination against gays and lesbians.

The Vatican, however, urged the world on Thursday to launch a campaign against gay marriages and gay adoptions. This is an attempt to block legal recognition of same-sex unions worldwide. Media reports also quoted US President George W. Bush as saying that marriage is "a sacred institution between a man and a woman" and that the White House is considering proposing a constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage.

It is necessary for us to find the balance between both camps, so that each and every one of us can be treated fairly. The legalization of gay marriage without any appropriate complementary measures might cause social panic. Therefore, more discussions are absolutely needed. Hopefully, all human beings can be treated equally and justly someday.

Chang Sheng-en"

Typical of Taiwanese liberals...Progressive, but somewhat apprehensive. :)

[alaine]

1. Thanks so much for posting this.

It's nice to hear a different view. I sincerely hope Bush does push for a constitutional amendment. Please, Mr. Bush, make our day. That just might be the final nail in his coffin. With out-sourcing and unemployment and corporate crime domestically and no-shows from Osama and Bin Laden and a brand new Vietnam and rebirth of the taliban overseas, I believe it will cause even more outrage he's concentrating on the wrong, wrong things. Where the hell are his advisors? Maybe Ari more played a more important role than we originally suspected.

[dsc]

2. why are you so sure this would fail?

34 states have DOMA laws of their own. That is only 3 less than is needed to pass this monstrosity.

[ButterflyBlood]

3. there's a difference between that and this amendment

where they may see their own DOMA as sufficient and thus this isn't neccesary.

My guess is that it'll fall just short of the 2/3 in both chambers, but yes, we must focus on stopping it.