Lin I-hsiung made comments in his new book that “Although we do not understand why people of the same sex would fall in love and develop a desire for each other, we should respect it as something private between the two people.” Lin expressed that it would be better if there were separate legislation for the “new type of union” so that it would not be confused with the traditional version.

These comments have been challenged by a number of LGBT advocacy groups in Taiwan including the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership. Secretary general, Chien Chih-chieh, told a press conference “Since equality in the right to be married is the central idea of the campaign, we would not accept separate legislation, because such legislation would still be discrimination and putting a label on same-sex couples.”

Shih Ming-te Cultural Foundation executive board director, Chen Chia-chun, also shared his thoughts: “When Lin calls same-sex marriage a ‘new type of union,’ I want to correct him because homosexuality is not a new creation. It has long existed in human history.”

The biggest worry facing activists in the country is that Lin’s comments will have an impact on public opinion as he is widely respected. Taiwan is on a rocky road to having its ‘diverse family formation’ bill passed. Public opinion surveys often report support for same-sex marriage yet over 10,000 marched against the bill in November last year.