Shen Boyang talks about the gay bar search incident: Taipei’s diversity and tolerance should not only be seen on parade day

Shen Boyang, Taipei mayoral candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party, was interviewed at the Zhongxing Building of the Legislative Yuan on the 5th. (Photo by reporter Luo Peide)

A well-known gay bar in Ximending, Taipei City, was reported to have something that was detrimental to decency inside the bar. The Wanhua Branch of the Taipei City Police Department caused an uproar due to discriminatory law enforcement. Mayor Chiang Wanan was interviewed and apologized, demanding that police discipline be strengthened. In this regard, Taipei Mayor Shen Boyang of the Democratic Progressive Party, who is running for the election, posted on Facebook today that he knows that gay friends have been in a bad mood these days. The police "enforce the law in accordance with the law" but this does not mean that the law enforcement methods do not need to be reviewed. Taipei's diversity and tolerance should not only be seen on the day of the gay parade. A truly friendly city is one where people know that they can feel free to be themselves.

Shen Boyang said that many gay friends came to the inaugural meeting of the General Assembly yesterday. Some waved rainbow flags, while others wore rainbow gadgets to cheer for the future of the city. However, he also knew that gay friends were in a bad mood these days. In the fourth year after Chiang Wanan took office, a law enforcement controversy occurred in Taipei caused by a search of a gay bar. The Wanhua Branch once denied that the police officers were improperly enforcing the law. However, after relevant images were exposed and investigations were conducted, the police admitted that there was indeed a law enforcement controversy.

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Shen Boyang pointed out that this incident was not only criticized by human rights groups, but also attracted the attention of international media. If something is illegal, it should be dealt with in accordance with the law, but enforcing the law "does not mean that the method of law enforcement does not need to be reviewed." People have the right to know what the basis for law enforcement is and where the boundaries are. When the state exercises public power, how to ensure that everyone's personality and dignity are treated with the same respect. Especially for those who have experienced discrimination, stigma, or even fear of being seen, a word or an action may make people think again: "Are I being treated as a different person again?"

Shen Boyang mentioned that what is more important to ask is how to make the system better, prevent similar things from happening again, and make everyone living in Taipei believe that the city will treat them equally, regardless of identity, gender, or sexual orientation. "Taipei's diversity and tolerance should not only be seen on the day of the gay parade!" It should exist in every scene of police law enforcement, in every system of the city government, and in every day of life. A truly friendly city not only welcomes you, but also lets people know that you can feel free to be yourself.