DPP calls Ko’s stance on LGBTQ issues ’inconsistent’

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A spokesperson for the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate criticized Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je on Tuesday (Nov. 7) for his alleged "inconsistent" stance on same-sex marriage.

Tai Wei-shan accused Ko of pandering for votes and being inconsistent, arguing that Ko changed his stance on the issue four times in the past nine years.

A day earlier, Ko faced questions about his previous statements on same-sex marriage during a lecture at a Kaohsiung campus. In response to a student's question, Ko said, "Who's asking?"

The alleged inconsistency in Ko's stance dates back to 2014 when he supported "freedom to love, marriage equality" while campaigning for the mayoral race. However, during a visit to the U.S. in 2019, he said, "When I voted, I voted against you, but I allowed 125,000 people to march." 

In 2020, he posted on Facebook that he cast a void vote on the topic of homosexuality. Yet, during the lecture, he claimed, "I never said I voted against it," and even snapped back at the student.

Tai urged Ko to stop using "shortcut tricks" to win the election and emphasized that politicians should have a fundamental attitude toward societal values, respect crucial issues, and demonstrate consistency.