Legendary TV host speaks up about standing up to LGBT+ oppression

Legendary TV host speaks up about standing up to LGBT+ oppression

2026-10-30

Veteran TV host Kevin Tsai is speaking out after his recent appearances at political events for both major parties in Taipei captured headlines. In a candid interview, Tsai opened up about why he chose to step into the political arena, the personal price he has paid, and why he believes standing up for the LGBTQ+ community is worth the fight. His heartfelt remarks have struck a chord with viewers, drawing more than a million views in less than 24 hours.

Legendary TV host Kevin Tsai recently captured headlines, after attending political events for both KMT and DPP mayoral candidates in Taipei. On Thursday evening, he spoke about his thoughts on a radio show hosted by Wang Wei-chung.

Tsai said that he was very glad to have stepped out of the box, jokingly remarking that if he had not done it, he would’ve just withered away with a tranquil life. On the matter of elections, he said that simply voting for the life you want is a win. He warned against seeking the easy way out to avoid conflict and settling for a life of comfort in wealth, resting on one’s laurels. Wang suggested that Tsai had not always escaped from conflict unscathed. Tsai agreed, saying he had suffered tremendous losses, but remarked: “If you can weather the storm but don’t put yourself through it, isn’t that a waste?” He said that latching on to fame was useless, if it is not used to kindle a fire that emits warmth and light.

Kevin Tsai (Nov. 29, 2001)
TV Host
There are people out there who can’t be as free as I am, due to different circumstances. If I can freely and openly offer these people encouragement or comfort, it is truly a big honor for me.

Kevin Tsai was one of the first high-profile Taiwanese entertainers to come out as gay. It was partly the reason why he decided to become more involved in politics.

Wang said he had heard that Tsai got into politics because he was furious after Taipei police raided several gay bars in Ximen earlier this month. Tsai confirmed that was indeed the case, saying, “What else could I do?” adding that “If we stop caring, we’ll just be letting teens aged 17 and 18 keep getting oppressed to death.” As a publicly out figure under the spotlight, he said he felt the need to resist. If he doesn’t stand his ground, he says, how are kids supposed to tell their parents that being gay is OK?

On Friday, Taipei Mayoral Candidate Puma Shen says he was deeply touched by Tsai’s words.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
The raids that the Taipei City Government conducted earlier this month caused much outrage among the gay community. Though we look like leaders of the first country in Asia to pass a law to legalize same-sex marriage, there is room for improvement in many areas when it comes to LGBT+ issues. What Kevin Tsai said yesterday was extremely moving. I think the government should take these issues very seriously and tactfully, to create an inclusive environment. This is a responsibility the government must shoulder and it is something I will continue working towards in the future.

Kevin Tsai’s interview racked up more than 1 million views in less than 24 hours. Among the people responding to it was the Taipei 101 Chairwoman Janet Chia. She took to social media, saying that she adored Kevin Tsai, saying that his words had let her see the power of intellectuals and the depth of a truly cultivated soul. Other commenters said the interview had made them emotional and brought them to tears. Others praised Tsai’s calm demeanor and unwavering courage. Others said Tsai’s words showed he was a person with a heart of gold and a spine of steel.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#蔡康永 #lgbt #pridemonth #taipei #taipeipride

證實因"同志酒吧臨檢"才現身洋流蔡康永金句暖哭網友

2026-10-30

知名主持人蔡康永連日登上政治版面引發熱議，他週四接受媒體人王偉忠專訪，坦言遭逢巨大損失，但握著名聲要幹嘛，燒了換一點溫暖跟亮光，也證實月初現身沈伯洋競總成立大會，是因前一天「西門町同志酒吧臨檢」執法過當與員警言語羞辱事件，他說，若不在乎，是要讓那些十七八歲的小朋友被壓迫死嗎？金句連發感動許多網友。

知名主持人蔡康永近期現身台北藍綠政治場，捲入輿論風波，29日晚間他登上媒體人王偉忠節目，分享心境。

他很慶幸有做這件事，如果不做，會過非常平穩的生活、會漸漸枯萎，對於投票蔡康永認為，當你把票投給你想要的生活，你就贏了！他喊不要全身而退、不要當富貴閒人、不要持盈保泰，王偉忠反問，現在你沒有全身而退啊，蔡康永坦言，已經遭逢巨大損失了，但經得起折騰卻不去折騰，那不是很浪費嗎？握著那個名聲要幹嘛，不如把它燒了，換一點溫暖跟亮光。

[[主持人蔡康永(2001.11.29)]]
“有一些沒有像我這麼自由自在的人，他們是受到一些壓力的，那如果我們的自由自在，能夠給別人一點鼓勵，給別人一點撫慰，這個都是我們覺得很榮幸的事情。”

蔡康永是演藝圈最早出櫃的名人之一，這次踏入政治風暴，也是為了一份使命。

王偉忠詢問，西門町酒吧事件，有人說蔡康永很憤怒，蔡康永承認對！那怎麼辦呢?如果不在乎這件事情，是要讓那些十七八歲的小朋友被壓迫死嗎?被逼在這個位置上，不在這邊撐著，他們要怎麼跟爸媽說同性戀是OK的?

蔡康永挺身而出，沈伯洋隔空聲援。

[[台北市長參選人(民) 沈伯洋]]
“因為前陣子台北市政府這樣的一個執法動作，其實造成很多同志族群的不滿，我們雖然看起來亞洲最早去承認同性婚姻的國家，通過了這樣的法制，但是其實同志很多的處境並沒有得到相對應的改善。那昨天康永哥講的話其實非常的動人，那我覺得我們在政府端，其實對這些事情真的都是要戒慎恐懼，要怎麼去營造友善的環境，我覺得是政府責無旁貸的責任，未來我也會繼續朝這個方向來努力。”

蔡康永專訪不到24小時，已經突破100萬次觀看，101董事長賈永婕發文喊好愛康永哥，讓我看到文人的重量，一個有底蘊的靈魂！網友大讚看得我眼淚直流、康永哥用著平靜的口氣道出無與倫比的勇氣，康永哥心是暖的、膝蓋是硬的。蔡康永專訪後勁強，溫暖無數選民。

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Huang Yi-hao
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Let me ask you, if they break a comedian’s arms and legs, isn’t that more material for the stage? If you really want to bruise a comedian, what you do is book the entire venue with your people and tell them to do one thing. What thing, you ask? Tell them to not laugh.

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The beloved Japanese cartoon character Shimajiro and his friend, Mimirin, lead a group of children in a dance, bringing the energy to a fever pitch. This is the premiere of the Shimajiro Indigenous language series.

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Ms. Huang黃 was charged NT$120 after being in the lot for less than 10 minutes. She thought there must be a mistake, but had to pay the fee to leave the lot.

Ms. Huang
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I parked in the lot next door, which is operated under contract with the Public Works Bureau. I was shocked when I went to pay, I was charged NT$120 after parking for nine minutes.

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Ms. Huang
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I’m not sure how they calculate the parking fees, whether they charge by the hour or a flat rate. I hope they can make the pricing rules clearer.

Voice of Wang Chih-kang
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A customer holds tight to the rope and pulls once, twice... It might look like he’s fishing, but he’s really just angling for a snack! This video is one of many shared on social media of this unique experience on Shezidao. Our reporter went to see how it works.

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Explains radish cake texture
It was fried to perfection! Crispy! Is it yummy?

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- Everyone please line up for autographs

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