台灣同志諮詢熱線協會
【事後新聞稿】
2022第四屆台灣跨性別遊行,不畏風雨,千人同行
主題:照亮跨權,平等向前
10/28晚上,西門町完美落幕
10月28日週五晚上,台灣同志諮詢熱線協會在同志遊行前一天,於西門町北廣場舉辦第四屆跨性別遊行,並且與台北市國際彩虹文化節及TAIWANNIZE合作,使紅樓的攤商人潮與遊行的人潮結合,讓「跨性別」主體的處境能夠更加地被看見。
遊行集合地點從晚上六點半開始,便聚集了許多人潮,今年遊行人數達三千人。三千人不畏風雨走在晚間西門町的街頭,象徵跨性別是在黑暗風雨中踽踽獨行的孤單小眾,等待照亮環境的友善之光。我們期待每一年都有更多民眾加入遊行,一起關注跨性別處境,成為支持的力量,照亮夜空,照亮跨性別權益。
主辦單位的台灣同志諮詢熱線協會強調,儘管跨性別議題的能見度近年來有所增加,但在台灣社會,各種男女二分的既定框架和制度設計,往往忽略了跨性別的存在和需求,使得非常多的跨性別朋友在日常生活、職場、醫療等環境都遇上困難,也常常必須忍氣吞聲,獨自面對内心的煎熬與痛苦。
主辦單位也在遊行前夕將全國跨性別醫療資源名單放置至於官方網站上,讓跨性別者能夠更加便利的取得資訊,降低醫療資源使用上的困難,也希望能夠讓更多友善的資源被看見、使用。另外也在今天於官方臉書上,展開2022年台灣跨性別族群生活處境問卷調查,除了建立起對於跨性別族群現況的理解外,更希望透過問卷調查將結果化成訴求或政策,增進社會大眾與跨性別的相互理解,也回饋給任何有需要的人。
遊行開始前,由常擔任模特兒的跨性別酸六,在舞台上展現自己最自信的樣子。隨後由不同形象的朋友上台發言,未打算使用醫療介入的橘子、已動手術並更換法定性別的阿寶、非二元性別的迪倫、扮裝皇后的飛帆,分享自己的經驗,展現跨性別族群的多元樣貌與生活中困難的處境。而後由跨性別Deven的父母,分享自己是如何面對孩子是跨性別者,如何用父母的身份呵護跨性別子女的心路歷程。
遊行結束後,在終點舞台上。台灣伴侶權益推動聯盟的理事長潘天慶律師,以長期協助跨性別者經驗,分享跨性別者所受到制度上面的種種不公,希望能夠透過法律來保障跨性別者的權益。來自台中基地的女神下午茶,以華麗的打扮,用自身的經驗,鼓舞台下的群眾。來自高雄熱線南部辦公室的志工書弘,分享在南部經營跨性別社群的艱辛。來自菲律賓的移工團體,分享著因為工作的關係,許多夥伴沒辦法共襄盛舉,但還是會長期關注台灣跨性別權益,為跨性別族群站出來。最後由黃小愛,帶來勁歌樂舞,將遊行的氣氛帶到最高潮,黃小愛也分享,或許這個社會對於跨性別者還不是這麼友善,但相信只要一點一滴的努力,這個世界或許就會有所改變。
Under the theme of “Turn on the Light, March for Trans Rights,” the event was held and successfully concluded on Friday night, October 28, in Ximending.
On Friday night, October 28, the day before Taiwan LGBT+ Pride Parade, Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association held the fourth annual Trans March at Taipei’s Ximending Red House Square. In collaboration with Taipei Rainbow Festival and TAIWANNIZE, the event brought together shoppers at Red Square and the marchers, resulting in more awareness of the plight of the transgender community.
Around half-past six at night, a crowd of 3,000 strong began gathering at the meet-up location. At this year’s march, 3,000 people walked down the streets of Ximending, despite the rain. This symbolized transgender people’s lonesome journey in dark times, waiting for a friendly light. Going forward, we hope to see more people join the march, pay attention to the plight of transgender individuals and become supportive allies. Together, we will brighten the night sky and bring transgender rights into the spotlight.
Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, the organizer, emphasized that while transgender issues have gained more traction in recent years, Taiwanese society is still plagued by the gender binary framework and institutional designs in many ways. As such, transgender community’s existence and needs are often overlooked. Many transgender individuals face difficulty in daily life, workplace and medical encounters. However, they often have no choice but to suffer in silence, dealing with the emotional torment and pain alone.
Prior to the march, the organizer posted a national list of transgender medical resources on its official website, which makes the information more accessible to transgender individuals, reduces the impediment to healthcare services, as well as increases the visibility and use of such friendly resources. In addition, the organizer has begun conducting the 2022 Taiwanese transgender community’s life situation survey, via its official Facebook page. The survey aims to better understand the current circumstances faced by the transgender community. The survey result will also be used to develop demands and policies, facilitate understanding between the general public and the transgender community, as well as be an open source for anyone who may need it.
To kick off the march, transgender model Suan6 showed their most confident self on the stage. Their performance was followed by speeches from individuals across the trans/gender spectrum: Freya, who has no current plans to seek out medical intervention; bao, who has undergone gender-reassignment surgery and legally changed his sex; Dylan, who identifies as non-binary; and FeiFain, who is a professional drag queen. By sharing their experiences, these individuals showed the diversity in the transgender community, as well as the difficulties they face in daily life. Then the parents of transgender activist, Deven, shared the emotional journey of how they came to terms of their transgender child’s identity, and how they took action to protect him.
As the marching crowd returned to the stage area, Attorney Pan Tien-ching, Executive Director of The Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR), spoke as a longtime trans ally. He called out the myriad of injustices transgender individuals face, and he hopes to protect transgender people’s rights through the legal system. Diva TeaTime, from Taiwan GDi Association, encouraged the crowd with her fabulous look and lived experience. Jackie, from Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association Southern Office, articulated the hardships of running a transgender group in southern Taiwan. A group of Filipino migrant workers told the crowd, while work kept many of their friends from attending the event in person, they have long been keen on transgender rights in Taiwan, and they will continue to show up for the trans community. For the finale, YouTuber Little Love brought her lively dance music to end the event on a high note. She also left the crowd with this uplifting message: This society may still be unfriendly toward transgender people, but with hard work, we can surely change the world, one step at a time.