Comments on: Inside Taiwan’s Brewing Presidential Gay Sex Scandal

By: massimo

massimo — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:38:44 +0000

Taiwan is supposedly the second most liberal country, behind Japan, in Asia.
But it’s still a homophobic country. Don’t be fooled, people!
We’re just as conservative as American Southerners.
Adultery is illegal and punishable in this country, and is supported by the majority of people.
Unmarried couples are not recognized by the court of law; even buying insurances for your unmarried loved one will meet with difficulties.
Most Taiwanese also support death penalty.
Those who solicit CONSENSUAL sex on the Internet are liable to be jailed.

Right now, this country is plagued with national identity issues and recession, so most politicians can careless about minorities’ rights. For those demagogues, minorities’ rights or in a broader sense—human rights—are nothing more than a steppingstone to the advancement of their political agendas.
Just like the mainstreal media, they’ll exploit the LGBT community when necessary, yet they’re hardly our friends.

The only good thing about President Mak’s faux scandal is the free publicity for gays. Otherwise, gays are somewhat non-existent in mass media.

By: petted

petted — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 02:36:13 +0000

Seems like Chang is grinding that ax – Mack should get a divorce.

By: Nick11

Nick11 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:58:11 +0000

Just wanted to mention how Taiwan and India were the two countries that censored the Oscar’s gay speeches, or to be specific the two countries where STAR TV had them censor out all the gay stuff. I wonder if it’s because it made the President uncomfortable? ;-)

By: Mathew Phillips

Mathew Phillips — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:48:13 +0000

Although the issue of the alleged video has recently resurfaced, the events surrounding Mack, the rape allegations against him, the syphilis and his deportation happened back in 2004. Poor Mack – just when his five year ban from Taiwan is up, this stuff resurfaces.

By: Mister C

Mister C — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:50:24 +0000

WOW…!!!!

By: alan brickman

alan brickman — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:51:15 +0000

damm those wives….lol

By: Sebbe

Sebbe — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:26:45 +0000

While I was working on my MBA I had a very good Taiwanese friend who was gay (his sister was also studying at the university although in a different department). I did have a couple opportunities to visit them in Tapai and was able to learn a little bit about the subject and to attend a pride parade.

From what I know, there was a proposal that was presented a few years ago that has been stalled in committee in regards to same sex marriage. Taiwan pride is the largest pride parade in Asia (and was the first of any Sino nation). From what I observed, Taiwan pride is less commercial than what you see in the States or in Western Europe and closer to the social movement that pride was originally (I imagine anyways as I am too young to say for fact).

There are no laws against homosexuality in Taiwan and there are protections in the law in regards to employment and education. Many expect and hope that Taiwan will be the first Asian nation to allow same sex marriage and adoption.

There are also, (to my surprise) many gay and lesbian story lines in the Taiwanese media and movies. Many of which filter into mainland China.

If anyone is Taiwanese or has any more information I would be interested to hear from them.

** In case anyone forgot, Ang Lee is Taiwanese, as a side note.**

By: Lex

Lex — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:48:09 +0000

Oh damn. And isn’t Taiwan kinda maybe debating a gay marriage proposal? I think I remember reading something about that.

But if he comes out, I wonder how that would affect politics in Taiwan. It’s not as homophobic as other Asian nations (South Korea, for instance, though even SK is changing quickly) but it isn’t anywhere near America from what I can tell.

By: Sebbe

Sebbe — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:39:36 +0000

@Alex – Oh jeez, I didn’t even catch the “South”. WOW. Allegedly some people do include Taiwan, but most use ASEAN as the criteria, that and the weather I personally use. David you need one of those 14 day “American” style tours of Asia like a lot of Americans do in Europe (write it off as research surprise TV). You know the type, 12 countries in 7 days or a globe for your new apartment. LOL

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:20:24 +0000

Just like to point out that Taiwan isn’t part of South-East Asia. It’s quite firmly East Asia.

By: John in CA

John in CA — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:28:40 +0000

The President of “China” (really Taiwan) having an interracial homosexual affair with a DJ from Tennessee?

You couldn’t make this stuff up. It seems more convolluted than the average Taiwanese, or dare I say Korean, soap opera. Seriously, forget about that Sam Adams-Beau Breedlove nonsense. This scandal is much more fun.

By: Sebbe

Sebbe — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:03:43 +0000

I would just add to what Ali said for those that are not current on the situation, that how Taiwan gets around this in regards to diplomatic relations is by the use of Economic and Cultural Representative Offices which are de facto embassies/consulates.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:20:47 +0000

I think the research dept at Queerty needs a little work. As Ali noted, Taiwan is a separate, sovereign government by just about any measure. The only reason it isn’t formally recognized as such is because China’s (that’d be “big China”) is being a bitch about the whole thing.

Perhaps you’re thinking of Hong Kong?

By: Darth Paul

Darth Paul — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:44:12 +0000

That is all kinds of hot- interracial, adulterous, international gay sex scandal!

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:33:52 +0000

Taiwan is not “technically ruled by big China”. The government of Taiwan is the ‘Republic of China’ and it and “big” China (the ‘People’s Republic of China’) are two separate countries. Both countries actually claim each others’ territory as being officially theirs, as the rightful rulers of all of China, and Taiwan/the Republic of China’s claim was recognized internationally, including at the UN, until the 1970s. This is because Taiwan was founded by China’s government in exile, the Kuomintang, after they lost the civil war that led to the founding of the current People’s Republic of China government by the Communist Party. But the Republic of China (Taiwan) only controls Taiwan and some other islands, and The People’s Republic of China (China) doesn’t control Taiwan. Taiwan is considered by most people to be a de facto state – it currently has limited international legal recognition because it lost sovereign status over all of China in the eyes of the international community, but, it is sovereign over the territory it does control. The People’s Republic of China insists that states that have diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China don’t officially recognize the Republic of China. Despite this, the Republic of China/Taiwan is treated as a sovereign state – unofficially – by nearly all countries and officially by about two dozen states, so it is a de facto sovereign state, and considers itself a de jure sovereign state.

A little confusing, possibly.

By: myrios123

myrios123 — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:37:14 +0000

I see this as a learning experience for all people with ambition to lead. Getting caught on tape is such an amateur move… so JV… I dare say, novice. Politicians are supposed to be smarter than this.