In a society that calls itself open, two legislative candidates say that there is still discrimination against the gay community and are taking the fight for homosexual rights into the political arena.
Although James Jan, (詹銘洲), 36, running in Kaohsiung City's southern constituency, and Webster Chen, (陳文彥), 39, running in Taipei City's southern constituency, are both gay, their life experiences have been very different.
`A joyful revolution'
PHOTO COURTESY OF LIANG JEN-WEI
Born in conservative Kaohsiung, Jan calls himself the "grassroots candidate" who wants to "stir up a revolution" and inspire people to voice their true political needs.
"My campaign strategy is to rally with progressive forces so as to weaken those conservative or tough forces," Jan said.
He said that different forms of discrimination against homosexuality are hidden everywhere.
"We sometimes overhear old men whispering curses beside us when we hold campaigns on the streets," Jan said. The old men either misunderstood or were fearful of gay groups, the candidate said.
Jan said he had been devoting himself to building a sense of respect for gay people in the public since early 1997. He was the first person in southern Taiwan to host a radio program specifically targeted to the gay community -- "We're all Gs (我們一家都是G)" -- and thus had a very public "coming-out."
"My mother was so worried about the neighbors' gossip then, but I told her not to worry about it since they were actually speaking the truth. But she just couldn't let it go," he said.
Though he never cared about what the neighbors thought, Jan recalled one moment when the sting of discrimination hurt him deeply.
In 1994 when his lover died, Jan said he was sitting distraught at his boyfriend's bedside when police at the scene called him a "pervert."
Jan said he struggled with the police officers' callousness and kept thinking, "How can it be wrong to love somebody, regardless if the person is a man or a woman?"
Jan said it was the incident with the police that made him realize that only by participating in politics could he work toward realizing his dream of a tolerant and equal society.
"It's really hard to win the sympathy of politicians who are not homosexual," Jan said.
Currently employed at a food-processing factory, Jan said he earns very little and has had to rely on small donations from his gay friends and other supporters to fund his campaign.
After putting down a NT$200,000 deposit at the election commission, Jan said he only plans to spend NT$100,000 on his campaign activities, most of which will be launched online.
"It will be a joyful revolution and a different kind of campaign," he said.
Looking to his political role model -- Harvey Milk, a former member of San Francisco's board of supervisors in the US -- Jan said that he was also encouraged by the fact that Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe and Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit are gay politicians as well.
He added that he hoped his campaign would inspire more gay leaders to enter the political arena.
`Feeling good'
In comparison with Jan, Chen is a successful architect and has more financial resources for his campaign. He also said he has been pleasantly surprised by the reception to his campaign.
"My family has been really supportive and many of my friends have offered to help me campaign," Chen said, adding that he has been accepting media interviews and that journalists have been pleasant.
"I've started to feel good about myself, finding that I'm being welcomed by the crowd," he said, adding that he is confident he will make a good impression in the elections.
Chen only decided to reveal his homosexuality to his family three days before he registered for the race, although he has run a gay bar and been part of the Taipei gay scene for years.
Chen said one of the reasons he entered the race is a lack of sensitivity on the part of many who enter politics.
He recalls the time when Wang Chien-shien said, "Gay people are so sick that they deserve no offspring," during his unsuccessful bid in the 1998 Taipei mayoral race. Wang is currently running for Taipei County commissioner.
"His comments were so wrong, but no one has ever corrected him. Since then, I've always wanted to have a role in politics so I might correct such discrimination," Chen said.
Chen aims to garner public support for the passage of the anti-discrimination law in the new legislature so as to further safeguard gay rights in regard to marriage, the workplace and education.
As a professional engineer, Chen has also called for close monitoring of the quality of public construction projects.
Showing his distaste for traditional election campaigns, Chen said that he would forgo having a formal headquarters as well as spending money on expensive publications and campaign flags and trucks.
Instead, Chen said that he would only organize two carnival-like gay parties in late November to attract supporters who identify with his political ideals.
He also said everyone is welcome to attend a Halloween masquerade party at his gay bar tomorrow.
"Everyone is welcome to conceal their identity by getting dressed up and they are free to attend a different kind of campaign," Chen said.
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