What a neat couple! And it is important to note that they, too, faced their own ups and downs with Daniel's family before his family has grown to accept their marriage. I'm sure it took patience to achieve that acceptance. I liked his reply about putting up with straight society for 364 days a year! He is quick witted and quite a talker! Thanks, Teacher Shen for this interview! Maybe they could return for a second interview some time and tell of their experiences as a married couple? All the best, Bill
I've known Chin for a long time. He is a very funny person. I think he had fun doing this interview with me and I will for sure to invite them back for the second interview. Thank you for your reply as usual.
Great. So complicated to be gay AND Taiwanese - so many family matters to consider. With us it was simple: We welcome you in, if you wish to come in. If not, best you stay outside. Fortunately most of our family chose to come in - but they entered with the understanding that it was our dignity, and not their prejudices, that mattered.
Both of their families are more traditional. That was why they had to work hard to gain the recognition. I think if a family that reject gay people, that's their lost. Anyway, I'm glad it worked out for them.
Merci beaucoup for this touching sharing. This love story is better than heterosexual. Thanks for giving us a positive witness that gay couple can be faithful and solid. Merci et Bisous ! 老师我曼曼学写中文
I have been with my partner/husband/spouse for 25 years. We never officially got married (even though gay marriage is legal in Canada) just because we never felt the need to do so. Even if I were straight, I would never want to get married. Legally, we are in a civil partnership, meaning that we have inheritance right, visitation right, etc., and we give one another the power of attorney. This is basically the same thing as an official marriage. But of course, I have no objection to people getting married. I think that's nice if that's what they choose to do.
In Taiwan, we don't have that many choices of "civil partnership" or "domestic partnership". But I think you should choose whatever is best for the two of you. It's nice to be in a long-lasting committed relationship. But I also know it's not for everyone. I'm glad that we are both in the country that gay people are allowed to be legally recognized.
Teacher Shen said that gay couples or the lgbt are also ordinary people who live a normal life and not how they were portrayed during pride parade. Personally, I feel that this the paradox of the parade. Why not showcase that the community comprises ordinary normal people during the parade and send the right message upfront? Instead, the parade sought to celebrate and embrace diversity by challenging the norms emphatically through physical behaviour and make-up/dressing on that single day, when in actual fact most are quite ordinary normal looking people for 364 days. Perhaps, the organisers of the movements should think through what they wish to emphasize on the community i.e. the differences or the similarities? Just ask yourself the question. Do you wish to be seen as different first and to be accepted as normal, or to be seen as normal first and for the society to accept the differences? And which is easier for the society?
I think for the gay parades, there are a lot more "normal" folks than costumed people. But of course, those who dress-up stood out. The organizers of the parades, of course they wish to invite more flamboyant people to get attention to the public. Gay parades are like carnivals what are very interesting to watch. But of course, in a conservative society, gay parades can be seen as an outrageous event. In Taiwan, there are almost no celebrity comes out, so the people in gay parades are the only gay people that the public sees. That's probably why the public thinks all gay people are like that. But I think it will get better and Taiwan needs more people to come out. Thank you for your reply.
@@teachershen Thanks for your response. Indeed, the community needs to tread along strategically and make sure the spotlight is cast on the right spot. The parade should not be a carnival to indulge in momentary joy and project the intended impressions unconsciously. That would be shortchanging the respect that the entire community deserves.
