The fourth installment in the Freshwater Fellows interview series features Chung-yi Lin (林忠毅), the Public Dialogue and Relationship Management Manager at the Taiwan Equality Campaign (TEC). TEC’s mission is to eliminate inequalities caused by gender through political participation, education, and international collaboration. They strive to make Taiwan more inclusive by cultivating empathy towards LGBTQ+ individuals as a part of everyday life.

Chung-yi Lin, the Public Dialogue and Relationship Management Manager of the Taiwan Equality Campaign

Freshwater: Can you tell us how you started working in human rights?

Before university, I was already involved in public affairs. My university studies in the Department of Taiwanese Literature encouraged us to engage in social movements. I was even more exposed to social issues as the student council president. After graduating, when same-sex marriage had not yet been legalized, I worked as a Taiwan Equality Campaign Little Bee volunteer, helping to manage local organizations and organize events. I also led some parades and later got to know the members. Motivated by the November 2018 referendum asking Taiwan citizens to vote on whether to legalize same-sex marriage, I joined TEC in May of that year.

Freshwater: Freshwater Institute is supporting civil society leaders to develop innovative human rights projects. Can you tell us how your project came about?

Our project is a platform that we call Q POWER which aims to encourage original creative work that integrates diverse gender elements. We established five award categories: Q Music (music creation), Q Video (video creation), Q Literature (literary creation), Q Campaign (creative marketing), and the Q POWER Spirit Award. These works must be created in Taiwan in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, or indigenous languages and promote or depict diverse genders. The judges include highly respected industry experts and proponents of gender diversity such as Mr. Isaac Chen for music, Mr. WANG Shaudi for video, and Mr. SHENG Hao-wei for literature.

We have completed the call for submissions and are now in the selection phase. The shortlist will be announced on April 19, and the award ceremony will be held on May 24, followed by related events like bar link-ups and exhibitions of the creative work, continuing through August.

Q POWER is a relatively new brand, now in its second year. Organizing the award ceremony is time-consuming and requires substantial funding. We have been reaching out to individuals, businesses and government agencies for donations, sponsorships and grants. We’ve seen progress in getting financial support from companies and the government, and are hoping to see more donations from the public. Q POWER belongs to everyone, and we hope that each and every one of us becomes part of this force. 

Q POWER Award Ceremony

Freshwater: What are some of the challenges you face in this project and in your work in general?

After same-sex marriage was legalized in Taiwan, many people assumed that discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals was over. This is a significant challenge for the LGBTQ+ movement as it leads to fewer donations. People feel there’s no need to fund us anymore. This drop in donations means we have to cut back on operations, making it harder to push our movement forward. Moreover, reduced attention leads to less public discourse, further decreasing donations.

We feel many social problems are not yet resolved and need continuous attention. How do we make more people aware of the importance of these issues? Through Q POWER, we hope to bring the public out of their echo chambers and engage with LGBTQ+ issues. We want people to understand that these are common issues in everyday life, and to provide a platform for the LGBTQ+ community, and those interested in gender issues, to establish a dialogue with the public. We hope this will make the topic more approachable, help people understand the challenges and daily lives of those with diverse genders, and foster further interest and support. The Q in Q POWER can stand for Queer or Questioning, representing people who do not want to be confined or defined, or those uncertain about their future or gender. We hope anyone can be Q. Q POWER signifies that everyone’s story or action has impact and strength, with the core of Q POWER being the amplification of your story through various media.

Q POWER is only in its second year, and internally, we have many discussions about the format due to a lack of experience. As a new brand, businesses and the public are still observing and trying to understand Q POWER, so we need to keep innovating and seeking ways to convey the spirit and brand of Q POWER.

Freshwater: How has Freshwater Institute’s Human Rights Accelerator Program been helpful to you?

The accelerator program provides tools to continuously assess Q POWER’s market viability, clarifying and analyzing the target audience and marketing focuses. We review our plans systematically, for instance, using a business model canvas to examine our resources, target audience, and potential partners, and a business prototype to gauge the acceptance and importance of Q POWER. These tools help us make informed decisions about the next steps, visualizing our target audience and available resources, and providing a good reference framework. Before joining Freshwater’s Accelerator, our team had similar concepts and abilities, but lacked a systematic approach. With these tools, we can coordinate more effectively together in developing and refining Q POWER.

Freshwater: If there is one thing you wish people could know about the issue you work on, what would that be?

The most important thing is that whether or not you are LGBTQ+, you should believe in your uniqueness. LGBTQ+ is just a label or one identity among many, but each person is a combination of different labels and identities, making everyone unique. When we realize this, we won’t be overly concerned about our labels, or misinterpret others’ labels, which will lead to less discrimination because we understand our differences and uniqueness.

Performance on Q POWER Award Ceremony

Freshwater: What keeps you motivated?

Working within TEC brings me close to the core of this issue and reminds me that the problem is not yet solved. I have a personality that drives me to complete tasks, providing the impetus to push forward and not give up easily. My motivation comes from seeing progress in the issues I advocate for, and feeling that I can expect more changes and do more to improve the future.

Additionally, as a supporter of Taiwan’s independence, I see gender issues as a way to highlight the differences between Taiwan and China. Promoting gender issues also allows me to continue voicing my stance on the issue of Taiwan’s status as a nation, which is crucial for my continued advocacy.

Freshwater: What is something you do for fun or to relax?

I sleep.

But I also have a wide range of interests. Sometimes, I go outdoors, hike, visit the beach, attend exhibitions, or listen to and sing music.

Freshwater: Thinking of the human rights issue you are working on, what would success feel like to you? What would make you feel like it was all worth it?

I believe success is achieved in stages, like the legalization of same-sex marriage was a significant milestone, but there’s still much to work on. We must set many phased goals, such as passing and amending artificial reproduction laws, broader equality laws, and increased participation of diverse genders in politics. I’m a bit pessimistic, thinking that no issue can ever be fully resolved because where there are people, there will be issues. What one considers success may not be seen as success by others. Fairness and justice might be subjective, possibly only representing the majority’s view while neglecting minorities. My ultimate goal in gender issues is for everyone to recognize their uniqueness, transcending gender issues to encompass self-awareness as humans.

In addition, for me, if promoting gender issues helps distinguish Taiwan from China, then pushing this issue is definitely worthwhile.

思流學院人權加速器參與者系列專訪：彩虹平權大平台公眾對話與關係經營專案經理林忠毅

在這個系列專訪中，我們將介紹思流學院2023-24人權加速器計劃參與者，這9位人權領袖與思流學院合作，為東亞人權倡議活動開發新型態收入來源。我們想了解他們如何開始從事人權工作、他們所面臨的挑戰，以及他們如何放鬆身心並保持樂觀。

本系列第四組專訪對象為彩虹平權大平台（下方簡稱「大平台」）公眾對話與關係經營專案經理林忠毅，彩虹平權大平台期待透過政治參與、社會教育、國際合作等行動與工作項目，消除因性 / 別產生的各種不平等，讓友善同志成為生活的日常，邁向多元共好的台灣。

彩虹平權大平台公眾對話與關係經營專案經理林忠毅

• 可不可以和我們聊聊，你們是如何開始從事人權工作的？

我從大學以前就有參與公共事務，大學就讀的臺灣文學系也蠻鼓勵大家接觸社會運動，再加上我本身是學生會長，又因此更廣泛地接觸到社會議題。出社會後，當時同性婚姻還沒通過，我先擔任了婚姻平權小蜜蜂，幫忙經營地方、打地方的組織戰，也主持過一些遊行，後來認識了大平台裡的成員，因應 2018 年底的公投，當年五月在因緣際會下轉職到大平台（當時的彩虹平權大平台還叫婚姻平權大平台）工作。

• 思流學院旨在協助公民社會領袖發展創新的人權加速器計畫，請介紹一下你的計畫並聊聊你的進度。

我們計劃名稱是Q POWER，主要是希望鼓勵融合多元性別元素的影、視、音、文學或跨領域原創作品，我們設立了Q Music音樂創作獎、Q Video影視創作獎、Q Literature文字創作獎、Q Campaign 創意行銷獎以及Q POWER 精神獎五個獎項。這些創作需要是在臺灣以華語、台語、客語或原住民語創作，提倡多元性別或呈現其日常的原創作品，評審找了各個領域具有超水準專業知識並支持多元性別的知名業界專家，例如：音樂獎的陳鎮川老師、影像創作獎的王小棣老師、文字創作獎的盛浩偉老師等。

目前計劃徵件已經結束並進入到評選階段，將於4月19日公布入圍名單，5月24日舉辦頒獎典禮，之後還會有酒吧串連和展覽等相關活動，一路延續到八月。

然而，Q POWER 是一個很新穎的品牌，今年才剛進入第二屆。舉辦頒獎典禮是一件非常耗時且需要大量經費的活動，讓組織面臨很大的挑戰。我們不斷向大眾、企業和政府募款，在財務來源也有更多的進展，從原有的公司贊助、公部門的補助，希望能看見更多大眾支持的意願，這是屬於大家的 Q POWER，我們希望日常生活中的每個你我都成為這股力量。

Q POWER 頒獎典禮

• 請說說你在這個計畫和工作裡遇到的一些困難

臺灣同婚通過後，不少人就覺得同志好像就不會被歧視，或者已經完成階段性的任務，不需要太多關注，這是同志議題或運動遇到蠻大的困境，最現實的影響就是我們捐款變少，大家會認為好像不用再花錢資助同志運動了。很實際的是，少了捐款最直接的影響就是營運需要縮減，很多事情也比較難推動。另外，就是關注度減少，沒有關注度就沒有話題性，沒有話題性，捐款也自然就會減少。

但我們意識到，這個社會的問題還沒解決，還是需要持續深耕和關注議題，那要怎麼讓更多人意識到「議題的重要性」呢？我們希望透過 Q POWER，邀請大眾持續關注同志議題，讓議題突破同溫層。我們希望大家理解這是生活中很常碰到的議題，提供更多同志朋友或關注性別議題的朋友一個平台，藉此和大家建立對話。我們希望讓大家很容易親近這個議題，進而瞭解多元性別目前遇到的困境以及多元性別朋友的日常生活樣貌，瞭解更多後進一步關心、支持這個議題。Q POWER 的 Q 可以指 Queer 或 Questioning，Queer可能是一群不想被侷限或定義的族群，Questioning 可能是對自己的未來或對性別沒有那麼確定、還有困惑的一群人，我們希望每個人都可以是Q。Q POWER 表示你的任何故事或行動都是有影響力、有力量的，所以 Q POWER 的核心就是讓你的故事透過各種傳播媒介發揮影響力。

然而， Q POWER 今年才辦到第二屆，組織內部在形式上有很多討論，因為過去沒有太多經驗，所以需要不停測試，且新穎的品牌，企業與大眾們也還在觀望，甚至對 Q POWER 還一知半解，所以我們需要不停地去突破與尋求，怎樣可以在經費有限的狀況下讓大家知道Q POWER的精神和品牌。

• 加速器計畫如何幫助你面對眼前的挑戰？

加速器計劃提供工具讓我們不停檢視Q POWER有沒有市場性，釐清並分析受眾以及行銷上的重點，在過程中一一審視我們的計劃，例如：利用商業畫布檢視自己有哪些資源，思考要觸及到哪些目標客群，以及合作夥伴有哪些，也利用商業原型檢視大家的接受度是否達到一定，大家是否覺得Q POWER是重要的。有了這些概念以後，我們在決定下一步時，商業畫布就會在腦中呈現出來，目標客群應該在表中的什麼位置，我們可以結合什麼資源，這是一個很好的參考工具。在接觸到加速器之前，組織裡的大家可能都有差不多的概念或能力，但沒有一個比較系統化的工具整理起來，或者讓大家都知道彼此在想什麼、說什麼，有了工具以後，大家比較能夠更有效地往同一個方向前進。

• 就你關注的議題而言，如果你只能讓大眾知道一件事，那會是什麼？

最重要的事情是，不管你是不是LGBT＋都要相信自己是獨特的。因為LGBT＋都只是一個標籤或其中一種身份，但每個人都是不同標籤和身份的綜合體，每個人都是獨一無二的，當我們意識到這件事，就不用去管自己身上的標籤，也不會刻意去曲解別人的標籤，我覺得這樣社會就比較不會有這麼多歧視，因為我們知道每個人都是不一樣的。

Q POWER 頒獎典禮表演

• 是什麼讓你保持動力？

因為在大平台工作，所以比較接近這個議題的核心，我會意識到這件事還沒解決，我的個性中有一種「一定要讓事情完成」的潔癖，所以我會有要把很多待辦事項完成的衝勁。正面一點來說，我的動力源於發現自己推動的議題有所進展，好像可以期待更多改變，做更多事讓未來有機會變得更好。

另外，我是一個支持臺灣獨立的人，性別議題會是能讓國際看見臺灣與中國差異的方式，我在持續推動性別議題的過程中，也可以讓我繼續在臺灣國家議題上發聲，這也是讓我留下來持續推動性別議題很重要的關鍵。

• 平時你都做些什麼事放鬆？

睡覺。

但我的興趣很廣泛，偶爾也會去戶外走走、爬山、去海邊、去看展覽或去聽歌、唱歌。

• 面對你正在處理的人權問題，怎麼樣對你來說算是成功呢？怎麼樣會讓你覺得一切都是值得的？

我覺得成功是分階段的，例如同婚通過就是階段性的成功，但之後還有很多事項要繼續努力，所以我們必須設立很多階段性的目標，例如：人工生殖法案的通過和修正、涵蓋項目較廣的平等法、更多多元性別參政。我自己比較悲觀，我認為每一個議題都沒有絕對的成功，因為只要有人的地方就有議題，你認為的成功在別人眼裡不一定是成功，所謂的公平正義說不定只是多數人的公平正義，還是會有少數族群沒有照顧到，那也不能算是成功。對我來說，在性別議題上最遠大的目標就是讓大家意識到自己是獨一無二的，因為這已經無關性別議題，而是身而為人對自我的認知。

對我來說，如果能透過性別議題讓大家知道臺灣和中國的差別，那麼推動這個議題就很值得了。