Marrige equality: Yes Supporter calls for social unity while Chinese cummunity shares different views

The Australian people have voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in the government's voluntary postal survey. LGBTQ+ celebrities have been congratulating Australia on 'Yes' result in the same-sex marriage postal survey. While the majority of Australians voted in support of legalising same-sex marriage, voters in Western Sydney had a different view. A man in Ashfield said he voted Yes, but understood why the majority of his community voted No. "There are more Asian, more Chinese people in this area... in Asian countries, people are more conservative and culturally they believe same-sex marriage is not right." he said. Some SBS Mandarin Radio audiences opposed Same Sex Marriage and called on respecting their traditional family values. What has happened in other Chinese dominated communities in Asia? In 2017 Taiwans top court issued an ultimatum to the parliament: legislate same-sex marriage within two years. While many were still rejoicing about the news from across the Taiwan Strait, China's most iconic lesbian social media platform Rela was shut down on May 26.Despite the shutdown of Rela, both academics and activists take an optimistic view of the development of Chinas LGBTQ rights. SBS spoke to Tim, a gay man from China now living in Sydney. He said "Since there are so many Chinese people overseas, when they see marriage equality, they will probably have a better opinion of LGBTI people. Once they see gay marriage is legalised in Australia, they will have a better understanding...I think its going to affect my coming out, its going to make it much easier." Dong Xing reports.

Western Sydney has topped the nation for 'no' votes in the same-sex marriage survey. Source: AAP