Fri, Oct 25, 2013 page4

• Activists speak out against diversity

  MORALITY POLICE: The activists plan to hold a parade in Taitung to urge people to consider the potential damage a bill on same-sex marriage may cause to family values

  • By Loa Iok-sin / Staff reporter
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  Activists against same-sex marriage yesterday urged the government and the legislature to refrain from passing a family diversity bill, which they worry will destroy the traditional family system and further marginalize disadvantaged groups if adopted.

  While the bill on same-sex marriage and civil partnership proposed by rights groups has won the support of liberal lawmakers, who have endorsed it to be discussed in the legislature, conservative groups opposed to the bill have also becoming more active in speaking against it.

  “We Aborigines are both socially and economically disadvantaged, and a well-structured education system is the key to help Aborigines overcome this situation,” Dwana, an Amis Aborigine from Taitung who is deputy executive director of the Galilee Family Development Association, told a news conference at the legislature. “The so-called family diversity bill would only destabilize the family system — if not completely destroy it — and exacerbate the challenges facing young adults.”

  

  Activists hold a press conference in the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday calling on the government not to pass a family diversity bill, saying it would lead to the eventual destruction of the traditional family system.

  Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times

  He said that various studies have shown that the family unit is where children are first socialized; therefore having a stable family helps children develop properly.

  “Children suffer negative impacts if their families are not fully functional and that’s even more true in disadvantaged groups,” Dwana said. “Therefore, the family diversity bill is not good for Aborigines.”

  Chen Tzu-mei (陳慈美), spokesperson for the Eastern Taiwan Alliance for Defense of Happy Families, agreed with Dwana.

  “I myself come from a healthy and happy family, so I know how important this is for a child’s development,” she said.

  “It’s best for children to grow up in a family whose parents are a man and a woman, a family that is stable and protected by the law, because by having a father and a mother, a child can learn about the different traits of men and women, and grows up mentally and physically healthy,” Chen added.

  To promote their views, the activists have organized a parade in Taitung on Sunday, a day after a gay rights parade is held in Taipei.

  “We’re just worried about the bill, which may destroy the structure and values of families among Aborigines and other disadvantaged groups in the country — the nation’s society and families need help now,” said Chang Hsin-yi (張信一), who is organizing the parade.

  “We will peacefully voice our concerns in the parade and showcase the joys of having a healthy family. We would like to urge the government and the public to think about these issues. We must think ahead for the next generations, we must consider whether this [bill] is good for them, we can’t just consider ourselves,” Chang said.

  Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Liu Chao-hao (劉櫂豪) attended the press conference to support the activists’ call.

  “I fully respect people who support same-sex marriage and I acknowledge the existence of the very few people who have different sexual orientations. I think we should engage in dialogues and find ways to protect this minority’s rights,” he said. “However, for me, the family is a value that has to be defended and that is most important.”
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