Agent clarifies Amber Kuo's comments on gay marriage

Want China Times, CNA 2013-11-08

Amber Kuo at the 48th Golden Bell Awards
in Taipei, Oct. 25. (Photo/China Times)

The agent of Taiwanese Mandopop singer and actress Amber Kuo on Wednesday addressed Kuo's comment that supposedly called a proposal to legalize gay marriage "worrying," emphasizing her close relationship with the gay community.

"Amber loves all her gay friends. Her remark represents hopes for a rational discussion," said agent Yeh Nai-wen. "We hope the media will be balanced in their reporting so that more diverse voices can be heard," she told CNA.

The 27-year-old sparked controversy with a Monday Facebook post allegedly expressing her feelings on the amendment, which would legalize marriage, civil partnerships, and the adoption of children for "diverse families," a category that includes gay and lesbian couples.

"I've been busy with the petition, and I'm surprised that despite this big (proposed) amendment, only a few people around me know anything about it. It's worrying," she wrote.

Although her statement was vague, many speculate that the petition she mentioned is an online campaign opposing the amendment. That campaign has collected signatures from over 350,000 people so far.

The Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights launched the amendment proposal last month after collecting more than million signatures of support. The amendment was sent to the Legislative Yuan on Oct. 3.

It was sent to the Legislature's Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee on Oct. 25 for review.

In contrast to Kuo's apparent "worrying," more than 50 celebrities have spoken out in support of the amendment, including big names like singers Jolin Tsai, A-mei and Yoga Lin.

Tsai said after an event on Wednesday that she believes people should have the right to love whomever they want to love. "I support any form of love. When you criticize someone else's love, you are showing a real lack of empathy," said the 33-year-old pop star.

The draft amendment, however, has drawn criticism from Christian groups, which worry that it will undermine the institution of marriage and the traditional value of family.

One of the most controversial parts of the amendment is that it allows any number of unrelated people to be listed as family members.

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