A routine grocery run in Singapore became a moment of reflection for a Taiwanese man living here with his Singaporean husband.
In a Facebook post shared on Feb 4, Hugo Liu, who describes himself as a Taiwanese living in Singapore, recounted an interaction he had while checking out at FairPrice Finest.
According to Liu, the cashier, whom he referred to as a “supermarket auntie”, asked whether he and the man with him were brothers or friends. When Liu replied that they were married, the auntie changed the subject and asked, “Do you need a receipt?”
Liu added that his husband responded, “Sure, thank you aunty. Happy New Year!”
Reflecting on the moment, Liu wrote that while same sex marriage has become part of everyday life in Taiwan, it remains quite rare in Singapore.
Drawing from his own experience, Liu shared that before Taiwan legalised same sex marriage, he too lived cautiously and hid parts of himself.
He added that he now cherishes being able to live authentically, and hopes that starting from himself, he can slowly influence Singapore’s social climate.
Legalisation of Same-Sex Marriage in Taiwan
Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same sex marriage in 2019. The move followed a landmark Constitutional Court ruling in 2017, which found that restricting marriage to heterosexual couples was unconstitutional.
The law grants same sex couples the right to marry and provides them with the same legal protections and responsibilities as opposite sex couples, including matters related to inheritance, taxation, and family rights.
You can read an English translation of his post below:
Just now, my husband and I were grocery shopping at FairPrice in Singapore, and while checking out, we had this very interesting conversation where we ended up coming out quite openly to the supermarket auntie.
Supermarket auntie: You two look alike. Are you brothers or friends?
Husband: He is my husband.
Supermarket auntie: I’m asking if you’re brothers or friends. (looking shy)
Me: Aunty, he really is my husband. We got married in Taiwan.
Supermarket auntie: Do you need a receipt? (changing the topic)
Husband: Sure, thank you Aunty. Happy New Year!
While same sex marriage has become an everyday thing in Taiwan, it is still very rare in Singapore. Most gay couples in Singapore, when asked such questions by strangers, would choose to hide their true selves.
Before same sex marriage was legalised in Taiwan, I was the same, hiding and keeping myself guarded. I really cherish being able to live authentically now, and I hope that starting from myself, I can slowly influence Singapore’s social climate.
