First trans teacher honored with Excellent Teacher Award

First trans teacher honored with Excellent Teacher Award

2024-09-26

A math teacher from Chiayi has become the first transgender educator to be presented the prestigious Excellent Teacher Award. Her name is Huang Ming-chen. On Thursday, she was presented the award by none other than President Lai Ching-te. Let’s hear from Huang.

Huang Ming-chen
Excellent Teacher Award recipient
It’s quite a surprise to receive this award. At the same time, I know that this award is not just a personal honor for myself. I initially thought that, with all the relevant legal protections, it would all be fine. But actually, I still faced a lot of pressure. My demeanor was clearly different from your typical man. When I came out, all my student’s questions were finally answered.

Huang was assigned male at birth, and started her transition more than a decade ago. As a teacher in a Christian school, she faced a lot of pressure. She had even considered ending her career, but decided to stay on thanks to the support from her students and their parents. After teaching for 38 years, Huang is now planning to retire.

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首位跨性別教師獲師鐸獎總統賴清德親頒獎

2024-09-26

師鐸獎週四登場，總統賴清德親自頒獎給全台的優秀教師，來自嘉義的數學教師黃明真，成為首位獲得師鐸獎的跨性別教師。

[[獲獎老師黃明真]]
“我也很意外會得到這個獎，但是得到這個獎我知道是，其實也不是我個人的榮譽而已。我那時候也很天真，我認為說有法令保障，應該沒什麼事的，結果想不到，還是會遇到很多的壓力。我的氣質就很顯然跟典型的男生不大一樣，那一直到我事件就公開，學生就終於把他們的問號就解開。”

黃明真出生時是生理男性，10多年前，她進行變性手術，在基督教學校中，承受莫大壓力，教師生涯，差點畫下句點，還好家長、學生支持，才度過難關。黃明真教書38年，即將退休。

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Zhang Xiaogang
Chinese defense ministry spokesperson
At 8:44 a.m. on Sept. 25, China’s People’s Liberation Army test-launched an international ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into international waters in the Pacific Ocean. The missile landed in the designated area.

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We did receive some advance notification of this ICBM test and we believe that that was a good thing.

Karen Kuo
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The government strongly condemns the actions of China’s People’s Liberation Army. China has recently conducted a constant string of military exercises in the region, which threaten the peaceful status quo. We urge China to exercise restraint and abide by international norms to be a responsible member in the region.

Bonny Lin
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China has been objecting to US deployment of a midrange missile system to northern Philippines, the Typhoon Missile System. And the Chinese trajectory of its most recent ICBM test is quite close to northern Philippines. I think that’s one message that China is trying to convey to the Philippines and the United States: Please remove your missiles.

China says its test wasn’t targeted, but has not disclosed the type of missile used. The missile was fired from Hainan, flew over the waters between Taiwan and the Philippines and landed in the Pacific. With a range of almost 12,000km, it can reach into continental US. Experts say the purpose of the test was for China to flex its military muscle to Washington and intimidate Taiwan.

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Japan’s Taiwan Strait transit is message to Beijing: Analysts

A Japanese Self-Defense Force vessel has transited the Taiwan Strait. Though similar transits are relatively common for military vessels from other countries, it is a first for Japan. The destroyer was joined by vessels from Australia and New Zealand, to conduct a joint exercise in the South China Sea. Analysts say the passage was meant as a clear signal to Beijing.

Japan’s NHK reports that a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel has transited the Taiwan Strait. The ship sailed from the north to the South China Sea to take part in a joint exercise with Australia and New Zealand. It’s the first time Japan sails through the waterway. The event has captured media headlines.

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Lai Shyh-bao
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To a certain extent, it means that tensions are on the rise in the Taiwan Strait. To be honest, Lai has been stoking antagonism between the two sides of the strait. Can’t he come up with a way for both sides to sit down for a talk?

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The opposition party has missed the point, and is picking on the wrong target. Amid China’s constant military provocations, the opposition party points its finger at its own government. Why don’t they every condemn China for its provocations?

China has ramped up its military intimidation in waters near Taiwan. Critics say the KMT’s take on the issue could send the wrong message to the international community.

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More food products from Fukushima now eligible for import to Taiwan

Taiwan has lifted an import ban on more Japanese food products from areas affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. Now, mushrooms, foraged greens and wild fowl and game will be permitted to enter Taiwan. The move has met opposition from the Consumers’ Foundation, which wants stricter controls.

Thirteen years after the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Food and Drug Administration has lifted import restrictions on more food products from five Japanese prefectures affected by the disaster. The new rules entered effect on Thursday.

Member of public
If there is enough data on the matter, and the tests conducted are reliable, perhaps that would quell concerns.

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I think the government has controls to ensure safety. If I had the choice, I’d pick alternatives.

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We have long opposed allowing radioactive food imports from that area. We are concerned that those items could impact the health of the public.

The Consumer’ Foundation has voiced concerns about the lifting of the ban. It says the government should continue to improve its radiation testing systems and crack down on products with incomplete labeling. It also urged consumers to be attentive when making a purchase.

Voice of Lin Chin-fu
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Since the nuclear power plant incident, we have conducted tests on 230,000 batches of Japanese food products at the border. All of them met our standards and Japan’s standards. The failure rate was zero.

The FDA says that any products banned in Japan will also be banned for import. As an added safety measure, products that will no longer be subject to double certification will have to undergo batch testing at the border within the first year.

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Taiwan sea Goddess Mazu meets Virgin Mary in Vatican

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Tsai Yong-de of the Beigang Chaotian Temple personally presents a golden Mazu figurine to Pope Francis, symbolizing a meeting between the eastern Goddess Mazu and the Christian Virgin Mary, bridging thousands of miles.

Tsai Yong-de
Beigang Temple
The union of Eastern and Western Holy Mothers means that the Mazu of Chaotian Temple will soon take residence in the Vatican. Though presented as an artwork, it is hoped that love and peace can truly be realized through this gesture.

The diplomatic journey successfully established a bridge of friendship between Taiwan’s Mazu and the Virgin Mary, opening a door for Taiwan’s religious beliefs on the international stage.

Tsai Yong-de
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It’s truly moving, as both the Pope and Mazu embody compassion and kindness. I can feel a warm sense of love and its power. Next time, I hope to bring important Taiwanese temples and groups along to step onto the international stage together.

With the assistance of the Taiwan Conference on Religion and Peace, the Beigang Chaotian Temple team journeyed to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis. They presented a gold Mazu statue weighing about 38g, valued at nearly NT$150,000, along with a jade Mazu artwork as part of the commemorative exchange.

The Virgin Mary of Catholicism and our Mazu from Beigang’s Chaotian Temple represent the exchange between different religious realms.

Member of public
The Western and Eastern traditions can unite, showing that religion is one family.

The Beigang Chaotian Temple has taken a historic step by traveling to the Vatican to showcase Mazu, in a uniquely Taiwanese display of religious diplomacy.

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The Luce Memorial Chapel at Tunghai University was recognized as a national historic site by the Ministry of Culture two years ago, receiving funding for restoration. After two years of repairs, a grand reopening ceremony was held on Thursday, attended by over 300 guests. Among them was Daniel Tsai, an honorary doctor of Tunghai University and chairman of Fubon Group. Tsai has made special arrangements to hold his golden wedding anniversary at the chapel in the future.

The reopening ceremony for the Luce Memorial Chapel began with songs echoing through the church, marking the start of the event.

The Luce Memorial Chapel at Tunghai University was completed in 1963. Designed by the renowned architects I.M. Pei and Chen Chi-kwan, this chapel is famous for its unique structure. It has become a classic in the global architectural community.

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Taichung itself has four national historic sites, most of which are historical buildings. However, what truly sets us apart is that we have been recognized as a national historic site due to the unique features and challenges of our architecture.

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From being designated as a historic building to quickly receiving recognition from the city government as a municipal historic site, and then elevated to a national historic site, this process involves many complex steps. Remarkably, we managed to complete it all in just one year.

Daniel Tsai, chairman of Fubon Group, mentioned that he was admitted to Tunghai University in 1974 and transferred to National Taiwan University the following year. He noted that many of his classmates made a wish back then to one day hold their wedding at this place.

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I regret that when I got married, I forgot to return here. So if I have the chance to propose again to my wife, I want to hold our golden wedding anniversary ceremony here.

The Luce Memorial Chapel is not only a spiritual symbol of Tunghai University but also represents the development of modern architecture in Taiwan. It perfectly combines historical culture and architectural innovation.

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Stephany Yang
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Can you tell us a little bit about your character in this movie?

Gwei Lun-mei
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It’s an honor to participate in an international production like this, especially since I play such a complex character at different stages in her life. In the early stage of production, I did a lot of preparation for my English lines, because although I can understand English and speak it casually, I think it is still very difficult to convey my own emotions when acting in English. I prepared a lot for my English lines. Luc Besson also helped me a lot.

The character is caught in a love triangle with her old lover, played by Luke Evans, and her husband, played by Sung Kang.

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They are all very professional. I had to be very focused when working with them. During shooting, they were always in character. So when I entered the scenes, I had to be completely prepared.

To prepare for the movie, Gwei worked with a technical driving instructor. She says she would like to star in more action movies in the future.

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For the driving scenes, we have a very professional team. Luc Besson provided us with a technical driving instructor. He made me feel very safe. Even in the early stage, I drove many different cars, which helped me prepare. I like driving, but I have never driven such a fast car. It’s good to be able to enjoy it through acting. I look forward acting in more action movies in the future.

Scenes were shot at Ximending, Zhongshan Hall, Taipei Performing Arts Center, Taipei Dome, Taipei Music Center, and Taipei City Hall. She said the film allowed her to rediscover Taiwan’s beauty and its hidden gems.

Gwei Lun-mei
Actress
What’s special about this movie is that it was shot in many different areas of Taipei, and my character was also reflected through different places too. She comes from a simple fishing village, and later I moved to Ximending for work, and we see a lot of the pub culture there. Then, we transition to Xinyi District, which is a very modern place. I think it shows how my character’s mindset has changed. This movie will allow people Taipei’s residents to see the city’s beauty of again. If you have lived here for a long time, maybe you will forget our beautiful mountains and rivers. I have seen a completely different and beautiful side of Taipei.

“Weekend in Taipei” was directed by George Huang and co-written with Luc Besson.

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