June 26, 2015. It was a toasty summer evening and I was watching the evening news with my mom. The United States Supreme Court had just legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. The camera panned to a shot of the White House. Outside, crowds flew rainbow flags and partners of the same sex shared intimate kisses as they celebrated this joyous occasion. I stared in awe, trying to wrap my head around what I was witnessing. I glanced at my mom, hoping to see her reaction. She sat still, motionless, but I could see her eyes flashing. That’s when she blurted out, with exasperation in her voice, that same-sex marriage was unnatural and that I should not befriend anyone that was of queer identity. It was as if queerness was contagious. I believed her, because when you’re twelve and are still learning new things about life, you tend to listen to your mother. It was not until I got my first cell phone that I would figure out that same-sex relationships are normal and are basically no different than your average heterosexual relationship.
Growing up, I never knew that same-sex relationships existed. I had always thought that they were a hoax. Even if they did, they just did not seem right.
Unfortunately, this was not a sole problem for me, but for plenty of communities in Asia. Often, the older generations of Asians are conservatives. Traditional family values are promoted and highly valued, and many kids are only taught to have “normal” heterosexual relationships. Same-sex relationships are not mentioned at all. On the off chance that they are, they are met with critique and deploration. They are deemed as unnatural and are seen as sinners. Apart from household values, the education system in Asia also disappoints when teaching kids about relationships and marriages. Even across big cities in Asia, schools do not teach kids about same-sex relationships. This heteronormative mindset set in young kids would eventually lead on to adulthood, and the cycle continues.
Because of the ignorance and lack of education, the LGBTQ+ community repeatedly faces stigma and discrimination in Asian societies. People who identify as queer would often be marginalized and looked down upon. They would be labeled as “freaks” and “weirdos”. In countries such as Brunei and Yemen, homosexual activity is still punishable by the death penalty.
As of May 2020, Taiwan is the only country in Asia that has legalized same-sex marriage. However, as western influence increases day by day, citizens in Asia, especially the younger generation, has become more open-minded to liberal ideas, including the idea of same-sex marriage. The fight for equality has just started in Asia and it will continue to roar.
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