KAOHSIUNG PRIDE PARADE VOICES SUPPORT FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE|高雄同志大遊行 為同性婚姻合法化發聲

Thousands attended the Kaohsiung LGBTQ Pride Parade on Nov 26th. Besides members of the LGBTQ community, there were also straight couples who brought their children along to participate and showing their support for equal right as it was the best opportunity to teach their children about diversity in the society. They called for the Civil Code amendment to legalize same-sex marriage instead of passing a separate law for that would make them second class citizens and would not be true equal rights. However, anti-same sex marriage groups said that, in their opinion, only a separate law will provide protection for same-sex couples because they are different people from the straight couples. Thousands of people took it to the streets to voice their opinions. The Kaohsiung LGBT Parade is attended by not only the gay community but also straight couples with their children. ==PARADE PARTICIPANT== I hope my children can have the courage to tell me who they like and bring them home to meet me. ==A-KE, Kaohsiung LGBTI Parade spokesperson== The Civil Code amendment will allow the LGBTI community to enjoy equal rights in the society. That's why we're taking a stand. Human rights groups from Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung attended the parade and demanded the legalization of same-sex marriage. They called for the Civil Code amendment, saying that having a separate law for the civil union is in fact discrimination. However, anti-same sex marriage groups disagreed. ==TSENG HSIEN-YING, Happiness for the Next Generation Alliance rep.== Different groups need a different system to make sure that everyone's rights are ensured. Gay rights can be protected in a different way. The Happiness for the Next Generation Alliance believes that the civil code amendment will have too great an impact on many aspects and argued for a separate law. While church groups spoke out in opposition, over 4,000 people across different religions signed the "Religious Community for Marriage Equality" public statement in support of same-sex marriage. As the Executive Yuan will hold a second public hearing on Nov 28th, anti-same sex marriage groups will stage another protest at the Ketagalan Boulevard on Dec 3rd. TRANSLATED BY：CHRISTINA LIU 今天下午，高雄一場同志大遊行，吸引好幾千人來參加，除了同志朋友也有異性戀夫妻帶著孩子來參與，針對同志婚姻合法化，他們認為，應該直接修民法而非立專法，但反同婚聯盟則是堅持，專法才能針對需求給予同志朋友保障。 幾千人高喊出心聲，要政府聽見。星期六號下午，高雄市有場同志大遊行，除了替自身爭取權益的同志朋友，還有民眾自發性帶著老婆、小孩一起參加。 ==參與遊行民眾== 至少我希望我的小孩子 可以勇敢的跟我說出 他的喜歡的對象是誰 可以開心的帶回來給我看 ==高雄同志遊行發言人 阿克== 就是要修了民法 我們才可以讓我們這個社會 讓全部的同志 都可以享有一樣的權利啊 我們就是要這樣子 所以今天我們才要站出來 台南、高雄、屏東等地區的關懷人權團體都來參與下午的遊行，訴求讓同性婚姻合法化，他們也呼籲，應該真接修改民法，立專法就是歧視，不過反同婚團體堅決反對修訂民法。 ==聲音來源 下一代幸福聯盟家長代表 曾獻瑩== 不同的族群有不同的制度來保障 大家的權益可以都得到保障 那同性戀朋友的保障 可以 我們用其他的方式嘛 下一代幸福聯盟認為，修訂民法一夫一妻制度，影響層面太大，他們主張應該另立專法。同性婚姻修法爭議，幾乎快掀起一波宗教革命，面對不少教會人士動員表態反對，也有團體發起「宗教界支持婚姻平權連署」活動，目前也已有四千位跨宗教信徒連署聲援，立法院28日將再舉辦第二場公聽會，反同性婚姻合法化的團體也將號召民眾，12月3號再度走上凱道，表達訴求。 記者 王柔婷 陳顯坤 高雄報導