[Interview] Comrade Chen Zhiquan's Political Wall of Equal Rights: Liang Zhenying Least Ideological Shackles

Politics

Written by: Lin Jian

2020-03-17 07:00

Hong Kong's sexual minorities affirmative action policy has been accused of being insecure for many years. The current legislation does not prohibit discrimination against persons of different sexual orientations. Earlier this month, the court ruled that a married gay couple had a judicial review. They believed that they had the right to apply for public housing units in Hong Kong as a "couple", causing anti-fighting forces to rebound, saying that Hong Kong does not have the Sexual Discrimination Discrimination Ordinance. Should replace Legislative Council functions. "Hong Kong 01" reporter interviewed Hong Kong's first legislative council member, Chen Zhiquan (slowly), to review this policy discussion.

Chen Zhiquan lamented that the local debate on the protection of sexual minorities has long been a "mud wrestling", staying at the lowest level and letting go of the issue, unable to discuss in depth how to resolve issues such as "reverse discrimination" and "traditional family values". He confessed that equality of comrades' rights is a "lost vote issue", which may bring more bounces than applause. The political circles are not keen to promote it. The government is also lacking in commitment and dares not take a step towards this. As a result, it can only resort to court. He hopes that society can engage in rational discussions.

In September this year, the Legislative Council elections will be ushered in. When asked if he intends to run for re-election, Chen Zhiquan expressed "positive consideration." He believes that if the parliamentary struggle is "extinguishing the flames" and only treats members as a job, then it is better to abdicate and give opportunities to younger generations, but personally, he thinks he can still be a "big brother". Share parliamentary resistance experience with newcomers.

Increasing acceptance of sexual minorities, non-binding current anti-discrimination policies

In Hong Kong today, speaking about sexual niche rights and interests may give people the feeling of "frightening? It is a matter of fact that since the decriminalization of same-sex sex in 1991, there has been no substantial progress in the law on equal rights for sexual minorities. The Government introduced the Code of Practice on the Elimination of Discrimination in Sexual Orientation in 1998 to encourage companies to formulate measures to eliminate discrimination, but it is not binding. The government set up a "discriminatory minority advisory group" in 2013 with a term of two and a half years, but the participants broke up, and the report did not suggest consultation on sexual orientation discrimination legislation. At this stage, the government also tends to respond to administrative measures such as education rather than legislation, which is also non-binding.

In terms of folk atmosphere. In 1995, the Hong Kong Government conducted a survey on sexual orientation discrimination legislation, and the results showed that 85% of the respondents opposed the legislation. However, with the gradual opening up of European and American societies, and even the inheritance of sexual marriage, and the expansion of the left's influence in academia, Hong Kong's acceptance of people of different sexual orientations has also increased. According to a survey conducted by the Center for Communication and Opinion of the University of Journalism and Communication last September, about 60% of the interviewees agreed to provide legal protection for people with different sexual orientations from discrimination, and only 12% of the objectors; 44% of same-sex marriage Yes, 27% opposed it.

During the interview, Chen Zhiquan pointed out that it is an obvious trend to increase the acceptance of people of different sexual orientations in today's society, but in political reality, when it comes to promoting laws related to the protection of minority interests, they often encounter great resistance. He said that opponents do not necessarily have a majority in society, but they are "loud" and will use every means to express opposition to the government and "fraud" to officials.

Yi Liang Zhenying's "one door kick" draws consultation

Many current or former chief executives and principal officials have Catholic or Christian faith. For example, the former chief executive, Tsang Yam-kuen, is a Catholic, the former directors of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, Lin Ruilin, and Tan Zhiyuan are also Christians. The current chief executive, Lin Zhengyue, also calls himself a Catholic. However, Chen Zhiquan believes that this has little to do with stagnation in policy. "There may have been more officials in the former Tsang-Yuan era; but Liang Zhenying's religion was not strong anymore; apart from saying" there is a place in heaven "in Lin Zheng's era, she didn't hear her raise religious views in social policy."

Manbi specifically referred to the former chief executive Liang Zhenying, saying that although Liang's political style was extremely annoying to the democrats, he had the least ideological shackles on affirmative issues. He also received news that Liang Zhenying published paragraph 131 of his first policy address in January 2013. The original version mentioned the government ’s intention to launch a public consultation on equality of sexual orientation. However, under strong opposition, Lin Yin It was drawn up before the system and changed into the final version: "The government understands that this is a highly controversial issue and must be handled carefully. We will continue to listen to different opinions widely. The government does not currently have any consultation plan." It's been another few years, and even today the consultation hasn't looked back.

In recent years, international gay rights movements have come and gone, but related issues are still quite controversial in Hong Kong. (Profile picture)

Promote rational discussion of "traditional family values" and "reverse discrimination"

At present, the anti-competitive force targets the legislative protection of minority interests. The main reasons for opposition include two aspects. One is "maintaining the traditional family value of traditional one man, one woman, one husband and one wife." The other is "reverse discrimination," which means discrimination in turn. Heterosexuals, who believe that legislation prohibits discrimination, will refuse to provide services to sexual minorities based on their personal beliefs, and even say something against homosexuality, will be caught in jail.

Chen Zhiquan responded that the so-called "traditional family value" is actually a very empty slogan, because what is meant by "tradition" will change constantly with the times. He exemplified: "The traditional value of the Chinese is polygamous, tied, and monogamous is Western Christian value, why do you support Western values ​​instead of traditional Chinese values? In fact, in the final analysis, this is only your (anti-same person) own value. "He believes that the true family value should include love, mutual tolerance and Support, same-sex couples can do the same, but gays do not even have the right to be identified and not to be discriminated against: "You can ask the anti-gay people, in the end, they would rather have one gay and dozens of heterosexuals, or one Stable, loving same-sex couples. "

As for "reverse discrimination", Chen Zhiquan believes that the details of the regulations and how to avoid "killing the wrong people" should naturally be discussed: "In fact, as long as there is no actual behavior to hurt them (sex niche), just holding a card to say against it will not be arrested at all. In addition, there will be exemption clauses in any discriminatory regulations. Naturally, cross-cutting issues can be discussed, but consultations are not allowed now. "He lamented that some people used panic emotions to make it difficult to advance the discussion and stay at the lowest level. "Of course, this may be something they (anti-same people) like," he said.

Many people in the society believe that safeguarding minority rights will constitute "reverse discrimination." (Profile picture)

Sigh, comrades' rights and interests are a ticket-lost issue

Chen Zhiquan pointed out: "There will always be some people in the society who don't want to make progress (sex niche rights) because this is not consistent with their values." He believes that there are two sides to any issue, and the role of the government is to mediate. According to the overall public opinion, find a place to drop the ink, indicating that "unsupported homosexuals will not be caught and put to jail", correct the accusations of the opponents instead of hiding behind them, wait for the two groups to make a noise, and then say "extremely controversial" do nothing.

Manbi also pointed out that a senior official had disclosed to him privately that the government as a whole is open to safeguarding minority interests, but it is not convenient to take the initiative, as long as the Court of Final Appeal orders the government to cooperate, but if the government decides not to appeal (Judicial review), the responsibility lies with the government. Therefore, Manbi believes that the biggest obstacle to promoting equal rights for comrades lies in the lack of commitment by the government and "dare to fly."

Chen Zhiquan analyzed that because sexual niche rights and interests are a "lost vote" issue, the actual halo of protecting sexual niche rights and interests is limited, and it may offend some supporters with different attitudes. Therefore, the democrats may not have enough incentives to promote and vote for the most. The supporters of the establishment are relatively conservative, and the members are more afraid to offend voters and dare not support or even join in the opposition. In the current political environment, the support of the institutional forces is already weak. , Even more afraid to take root.

It must be said that Yuan Guoqiang, the former Secretary of Justice, was relatively willing to study some legal issues related to the equality of sexual minorities, even though he often faced political turmoil during his term, but the current Secretary Zheng Ruojiu was too diligent. He smiled bitterly again: "Now (the government) cannot even protect basic human rights. It may be too luxurious to ask for a niche sex right."

Chen Zhiquan mentioned that Yuan Guoqiang (right) was relatively willing to study the legal issues related to the niche for protection; Zheng Ruoxuan (left) himself was "an ant" and has not discussed it with her privately to this day. (Profile picture)

Use the rules of procedure to fight Liang Junyan also acknowledges his "familiarity"

The topic has changed. As a member of the two sessions of the Legislative Council, Chen Zhiquan has entered his eighth year in parliament. Asked whether he would still participate in the next Legislative Council election, he called it "positive consideration." When it comes to parliamentary work, slowly must refer to the parliamentary front composed of himself and Zhu Kaidi and others. They are very "heart-conscious" of the resistance in the parliament. Although the chairman of the Legislative Council has different political views, he also has to admit that they "know the rules of procedure".

Man must mention that the Legislative Council is a battlefield of resistance. If the number of seats cannot exceed half, the democratic parties must enter the state and be ready to fight at any time. He believes that some members may indeed "extinguish the flames" because they have been in politics for many years, and confrontation is no longer taken seriously. If so, it is better to leave more opportunities for young people.

But personally, Chen Zhiquan believes that he still has an active role in the parliament. "At least, to promote the equality of sexual minorities, must no one be more ineffective than me?" He believes that he can be a "big brother". Share experiences with newcomers and how to use existing rules of procedure to fight parliamentary struggle. Man must mention: "I will not fall in love with the power of the stack. I think that I must retire at the age of 60 or 70. But at least I think I still have room to do it (parliamentary struggle)." Count a very smart person, but the current Democrat is doing better than him, maybe not too much.

In the 2016 New Territories East Election of the Legislative Council, Chen Zhiquan (sixth from right) had fallen significantly behind in the early polls and was still elected. (Profile picture)

Recall that the last poll was behind Li Yanyan when election coordination was the key

Regarding the September Legislative Council elections, the democratic parties are now considering coordinating to reduce the number of electors in each district, so as to avoid the situation of "seeking speculation." Chen Zhiquan mentioned that, whether it is primary election or coordination, it is inevitable that it is more beneficial to current members and well-known people, and the last Zhu Kaidi, Luo Guancong and others did indeed have a "lost poll, poll election" situation, plus polls The sample may also change. Individuals may think that they have the ability to fight for support, and why they should be deprived of their right to run early.

Chen Zhiquan pointed out that one of the points of dispute in coordination was when to "cross". Man must take himself as an example. In the last term, he was elected by New Territories East with 45,993 votes. However, in the polls in the early part of the election period, he once had less than 1% of support, which was lower than Li Yanyan who only got 2,938 votes. Therefore, he thinks that when "falling the sword" will be very critical, the sooner it is unfavorable to amateurs and newcomers, they may also think "why the way to make it is that I am not you". He acknowledged that coordination would be a very, very difficult job, and that the election itself is a matter of “easing feelings”. People from all walks of life can only “do everything” and hope not to build too much hatred.

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Chen Zhiquan Legislative Council election same-sex marriage sexual orientation affirmative sexual orientation discriminatory sexual orientation democrats