I know everyone...I use LINE as well. What would be the scenario...Do you think that these communities, the older people, do you think they would be happy to use this if they’re talking?

Especially since I’m being recorded, I don’t make generalizations. I don’t know everything about Taiwan, but I’ve heard that people of an older generation who didn’t have the LGBTI-positive education that came about in 2004 and they may be far away from Taipei, where things are a bit more progressive. ...

Who developed this, this crowdsource?

People can give links to mainstream media...

Mm, then he gets his bit.

Is there anything else on a more kind of technical or Taiwan-based level? Should...

One thing that’s been flagged by a lot of people is that this is going to be quite ugly with a lot of misinformation or disinformation, and particularly on the anti-equal marriage side there’s a lot of misinformation that may be spread online. What do you think Taiwan can do ...

Yeah, about marriage equality or same-sex marriage, and about whether we change the civil code or whether we enact separate legislation. I’d be particularly interested with your expertise in the digital world and information.

Linking into those factors, obviously we have these referenda about...

What about society’s attitudes, like families, workplaces, and people in cafes?

How is day-to-day life for gender-nonconforming or gender-diverse Taiwanese?

I didn’t think our conversation was particularly progressive in terms of the things we’re seeing in some countries -- removing gender from all ID documents or having the third gender on passports and that sort of thing.

I was talking to Yu Mei-nu, the lawmaker. I was mainly talking to her about, obviously, equal marriage, and how that’s going through the Yuan, and all this kind of thing. I also asked her about transgender rights because I’ve been covering that a lot in Asia.

Do you think?

How is Taiwan keeping up with this kind of idea?

[laughs] Interesting. Living as a postgender person, what does that mean for you if you go right in front of the...

Doesn’t have "they".

I should have been better at asking you that in the beginning. I just read you referred to as transgender and used the pronoun she. You identify as, would you say, postgender or...?

What is it like being the world’s first transgender minister?

I think our readers will be most interested in the transgender stuff. If it’s OK, we can start with that in case we run out of time.

You’re too free.

Perhaps we can start. What do you prefer to talk about first? Your work within the government and your political or your journey first? Or do you want to talk about the transgender stuff first?

Yeah, but it’s getting a bit weathered now. I have to because I spill so many things on my keyboard if I don’t do this. It will get sticky.

I’ll record it as well. The most well-documented interview I’ve ever had. It’s always the journalist’s nightmare of you losing the recording, so it’s nice when people record it too.

Is it all right if I get my laptop out and type as we talk?

...gender identity afterwards and your journey. You can talk as openly as you want. If you think I’m going too far, and you don’t want, it’s too personal, that’s fine.

Talk about a bit what you’re doing in Taiwan and talk a bit about your...

...in the world, but I didn’t want to just focus on that because I know you’re doing important work. Obviously, we shouldn’t just talk about your gender identity, because this was so important, what you’re doing in Taiwan. Perhaps we could split the interview half and half if you’re happy ...

Most of our readers are from the UK or the US. Please bear in mind we have to spell things out for them a bit. Obviously, we focus on LGBTI issues. I wanted to talk to you about being the first transgender minister...

I don’t know how much you know about Gay Star News. We’re London based.

Yeah. Formosa pride. These naked men or anything. It’s good. I feel positive about Taiwan. My partner is Taiwanese. We’ve been together a while. I quite like Taiwanese culture and the place.

I felt happy. It felt good. I’m not a big party animal. We didn’t go to any of the night...

Miao Bo-ya was there as well.

Really good, really positive. Actually, I haven’t been to that many prides. I’ve been to Hong Kong Pride. I felt good. We were with Jennifer Lu on her float.

Yeah. I did a Facebook Live. You can have a look if you want.

Obviously, we’re a...

I was discussing with Sheau-Tyng Peng. This would probably be a profile and a Q&A if you’re happy.

I’m in Taiwan for these two weeks covered by Dot, obviously. I’m doing a bit of talking to people about the referendums, the upcoming. I also wanted to meet as many people as possible. I really wanted to meet with you.

Taipei. Beitou we’re living in, which everyone says it’s very far away, which is worrying.

I’m based in Myanmar at the moment, but I’m moving to Taiwan in January.

I just started with Gay Star News a couple of months ago.