Taipei, Oct. 2 (CNA) Election candidates are welcome to do more than speak up for gay rights so they can secure votes from members of the gay, bisexual and transgender (GBT) communities, representatives from these communities said Tuesday.
"Taiwan society has been more open for the awareness of gay rights, and many election candidates want votes from this specific group. However, they have to submit their `beef' rather than just offering lip service, " said the president of the Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association (TTHA), who goes by the alias Gofyy.
The U.S.-based Kinsey Institute estimates that 10 percent of the human population are gay, bisexual or transgender, he said, adding that this fact makes such communities a focus group politicians cannot afford to ignore.
More often than not, however, Gofyy said, politicians and candidates say they support gay rights but fail to come up with substantial opinions and policies.
"GBT communities welcome any support, but these people are not fools either. They know very well who are for real and who are not. Candidates cannot expect to win votes by simply participating in gay pride parades and offering vocal support, " he said.
The annual "Taiwan Pride Parade, " organized by TTHA and more than a dozen GBT groups, is set for Oct. 13 in downtown Taipei to raise gay rights awareness.
GBT communities in Taiwan have been establishing "observation groups" in past elections to examine candidates' opinions and positions on gay rights, Gofyy said.
"Some candidates who have shown support for GBT groups during their campaigns never did anything after being elected. Some did push for new legislation or amendments but in the end they were stuck in the Legislative Yuan due to opposition from conservative legislators, " he said.
Two major elections are coming up in Taiwan, while legislative elections scheduled to be held at the end of 2007 and the presidential election set for next March.