Projects
Diverging Paths to Marriage Equality: A Study of Outlier Nations
Disparities in LGBTQ+ rights, especially in same-sex marriage (SSM) legalization, highlight critical global challenges. This project examines what drives or hinders SSM legalization by focusing on outlier nations—countries that deviate from expected patterns based on democracy, economic development, or cultural norms. For example, Cuba, an authoritarian state, has legalized SSM, while Japan, a wealthy democracy, has not.
Using a mixed-method approach, the project analyzes six case studies from Asia and Latin America. Pairing outlier cases with comparator nations allows for a deeper understanding of institutional, cultural, and advocacy dynamics. These qualitative insights are complemented by quantitative analysis to identify broader patterns and test hypotheses across nations.
By integrating case studies with cross-national data, this project aims to uncover the socio-political mechanisms behind marriage equality and contribute to a richer understanding of LGBTQ+ rights advancement.
What do you think I’m good at? An Experimental Design on LG candidate and issue ownership
Numerous obstacles, including limited support and resources, discrimination, and prejudice, continue to create challenges for LGBTQ candidates in the political arena. This project addresses these questions: when Lesbian and Gay candidates run for office, what are voters’ perceptions about them? Specifically, are voters inclined to ascribe specific issue competencies to Lesbian and Gay candidates?
Gender Politics research has revealed that candidates are perceived as better suited for certain issues and are attributed specific traits based on their gender. Studies demonstrate that women are typically regarded as more competent in handling topics like education, healthcare, and civil rights; while men are commonly associated with greater competence in military and agriculture issues. However, Gender Issue Ownership cannot be applied to non-straight candidates, to better understand how voters perceive Lesbian and Gay candidates, we have to take into account the intersection of gender and sexual orientation.
I plan to conduct two conjoint survey experiments to answer these questions. The first experiment aims to explore the dynamic interaction between a candidate’s gender and sexual orientation concerning voter perception, while the second experiment examines whether additional information about personal traits can alter these perceptions.
From Litigation to Legislation: Understanding Taiwan’s Marriage Equality Movement
In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, a milestone shaped by legal battles, political strategy, and grassroots activism. But how did Taiwan achieve this when other democracies in Asia have not?
This project examines the role of legal mobilization, political negotiation, and LGBTQ+ representation in shaping Taiwan’s marriage equality movement. While Interpretation No. 748 set a legal precedent, it was NGOs like TAPCPR, legislative action by the DPP, and LGBTQ+ politicians’ advocacy that ultimately pushed the law forward.
By conducting interviews with judges, legislators, activists, and LGBTQ+ leaders, this research explores how judicial decisions, legislative maneuvering, and public opinion intersect in advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Taiwan’s experience offers valuable insights into the global fight for marriage equality and democracy.
