I (LOVE) Being Out*

Since Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019, Taiwan LGBT Pride has adopted the theme, “Together, Make Taiwan Better”, centered around awareness of LGBT folks around us. 2020’s theme, “Beauty, My Own Way”, focused on understanding and respecting others’ sexual orientation and gender identity. However, mutual understanding and respect are more than meaningless catchphrases and slogans - they inform and guide our behavior and are the cornerstones of a diverse, friendly society. Therefore, Taiwan LGBT Pride has adopted the theme of “I (LOVE) Being Out”, with the goal of creating conversations on how to best bring about a friendly and inclusive society.

We’ve all heard of the importance of LGBT friendliness while overlooking the meaning behind what constitutes “friendliness”, “acceptance”, and “inclusion”. In 2016, the theme of Taiwan LGBT Pride explored the issue of performative “inclusion”. Does having gay friends make you “LGBT-friendly”, or “LGBT-inclusive”? Considering the results of Taiwan’s 2018 referendum, one key goal for LGBT allies and activists to look into is how to create a society that is truly LGBT-friendly.

“Friendliness” and “Inclusiveness”, are values that shouldn’t be merely reserved for particular people. LGBT-friendly stores aren’t restricted solely for use by LGBT people. Similarly, unisex bathrooms shouldn’t be viewed as something “reserved” for transgender people. LGBT-friendly policies are put in place to promote inclusiveness, so they shouldn’t be viewed as privileges extended merely to LGBT people. True equality, and ironically, “friendliness” can only be achieved when we can move on from labeling things as “friendly” and “inclusive”. In a truly friendly and inclusive society, LGBT people will no longer have to apologize for simply being themselves - as everyone should have the right to be who they are.

Despite Taiwan’s constitutional court recognizing the right to same-sex marriage in 2019, LGBT people who wish to marry face numerous societal obstacles in doing so. They face the possibility of outing themselves in their workplace, the pressure of coming out to their parents, as well as stigmatization from their peers. Coming out is not, and should never be a necessary condition for LGBT people to be themselves, but as activists and allies, we should focus on building a society that allows all LGBT people to be themselves regardless of whether or not they choose to disclose their sexual orientation.

For many, it feels like there has been a sudden increase in the number of LGBT people around them in the wake of 2019’s legalization of same sex marriage. Are more people “becoming gay”? Are people being indoctrinated into queerness after the institution of mandatory gender equality education?  The answer to both questions is an easy “NO.” Simply, shifts in cultural and political attitudes in regards to LGBT rights have allowed more people to be themselves and come out to their friends and family. Obviously, this doesn’t mean that gay people didn’t exist prior to the legalization of same sex marriage, but simply that they were less willing to disclose their sexuality to the public in fear of discrimination and ostracization.

LGBT people will grow old, too. And elderly LGBT people face unique challenges hidden from and unexperienced by the rest of society. Something commonly seen amongst LGBT elderly in other countries is the phenomenon of “re-closeting” - in which elderly people are forced to hide their sexual orientation in fear of mistreatment from their caretakers and nursing home workers. Elderly LGBT people are already vulnerable due to their age - and they may lose their only avenues of support from friends and families when they enter nursing and retirement homes. Although certain laws are put in place to against discriminatory behavior and practices, elderly LGBT people still face unfair treatment at the hands of these facilities.

This year, the clusters of COVID-19 infections linked to Wanhua Teahouses have led to increased awareness on subjects long considered taboo like the sexual needs of heterosexual elderly people in Taiwan. If this is something people weren’t willing to touch upon pre-pandemic, what about issues regarding the sexuality of LGBT elderly or handicapped people? Despite Taiwan’s aging population, the public’s perception of the elderly and the handicapped remains one of “de-sexualization” (involving the removal and ignoring of sexuality from an identity). Additionally, handicapped people face obstacles in their living environments and daily life due to lackluster infrastructure. Given that aging is an inevitable process, and anyone faces the possibility of being handicapped, the burden of creating a friendly and inclusive society rests on all of us.

So, what’s the opposite of “friendliness”? It’s stigmatization. Take the pandemic for example. Negative media coverage of Wanhua sex workers and teahouses have caused reluctance amongst teahouse customers and employees to get tested for COVID in fear of having their personal details disclosed to the public.

No one wants to get infected with COVID, or HIV, or any infectious disease. However, the criminalization and stigmatization of infected people have led to reluctance of individuals to seek medical help or testing - both obstacles to a safe and healthy society. In order to create a safe and inclusive society for all, the criminalization of the sick must be ceased.

Words like “friendliness” and “inclusivity” mean different things to different people. Heterosexual relationships and marriages are viewed as “normal” in society - and enjoy rights and privileges not afforded to same-sex couples. For transgender people, even everyday activities like going to the bathroom may be a challenge. For handicapped people, navigating around the city may be a challenge. Deaf people face additional communication barriers due to the inability to lipread with everyone wearing facemasks. Only when we start understanding the daily struggles people have to go through in their daily lives, can we craft policy and implement legislation to make Taiwan more friendly and inclusive.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us invaluable lessons. Marginalized communities have bore the brunt of the damage done by the pandemic. Not everyone has the ability to work from home and in shifts. The lack of social interaction has meant that LGBT people have been cut off from outside support and have been forced to live under extreme pressure with unsupportive and even hostile family members.

LGBT people surround us, whether we’re aware of it or not. We live amongst LGBT first responders, nurses, doctors and essential workers in the fight against COVID-19. Regardless of the outcome of the pandemic, we hope to create a society where we can all live to be ourselves. Therefore, we invite everyone to this year’s virtually-held Taiwan LGBT Pride - to spread friendliness and inclusivity towards the LGBT community, so that everyone can LOVE BEING OUT!

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*This slogan had been used in 1983’s San Diego Pride. Pay respect to it.