“Brothers or friends?” — A Checkout Question That Lingered
A routine grocery run turned unexpectedly personal for a Taiwanese man living in Singapore.
In a Facebook post shared on 3 February, Hugo Liu recounted how a simple question from a cashier — whom he fondly referred to as a “supermarket auntie” — became a quiet but meaningful moment of coming out.
Liu had been shopping with his Singaporean husband when the auntie, while scanning their items, remarked that the two looked alike and asked if they were brothers or friends.
His husband replied plainly that they were married. The auntie, appearing shy, repeated her question.
Liu then clarified: they were indeed husbands, and they had gotten married in Taiwan. The auntie then moved on to ask:
“Do you need a receipt?”
“Yes, thank you Aunty. Happy New Year!” his husband responded, ending the exchange on polite terms.
It was brief. Without confrontation, with no raised voices; instead, with a small silence hanging in the air before the next customer stepped forward.
Living Openly, Embracing Individuality
During the supermarket encounter, Liu and his husband answered the auntie’s question honestly. When asked whether they were brothers or friends, Liu explained that they were married in Taiwan.
He noted that same-sex marriage has become an everyday reality in Taiwan. In other countries, many couples, he wrote, would likely choose to hide their relationship when questioned by strangers.
Before Taiwan legalised same-sex marriage in 2019, Liu said he also lived cautiously, keeping parts of himself private. Now, he said, he appreciates being able to live authentically.
Netizens Respond: Mutual Respect and Identity
The post quickly drew responses online, with many focusing on the tone of the interaction. Several commenters pointed out that the auntie, while possibly surprised, was neither rude nor hostile.
“At least Aunty never say anything,” one wrote. “She keep all comments she might have to herself, that’s the mutual respect isn’t it?”
Liu agreed. He clarified that he and his husband did not view the auntie as unfriendly.
“We were having good conversation with her and end with happy new year,” he replied. “Our principles are be true to ourselves and respect others. We don’t lie.”
Others shared their own experiences. One commenter said their girlfriend felt afraid to show affection in public after being told by an elderly man on the MRT that it was “very shameful”.
Liu responded with encouragement, saying he hoped their wedding video might inspire others to live more openly.
Another commenter thanked him for being visible.
“The best way to show the world is just simply to live out who we are,” they wrote.
“To always be true to myself,” Liu replied.
Taiwan’s Landmark Same-sex Marriage Law
Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019.
On 17 May 2019, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan passed “The Enforcement Act of the Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 748.” The law took effect on 24 May that year.
The move followed a 2017 ruling by Taiwan’s Constitutional Court, which found that restricting marriage to heterosexual couples was unconstitutional. The court gave lawmakers two years to amend existing laws or introduce new legislation.
Under the law, same-sex couples are granted the legal right to marry, along with many of the same rights and obligations as opposite-sex couples under the Civil Code, including areas such as inheritance and taxation.
However, the legislation did not initially provide full marriage equality in all aspects. For instance, it allowed spouses in same-sex marriages to adopt the biological children of their partners, but not to jointly adopt non-biological children in the same way as opposite-sex couples.
Responding to the bill’s passage at the time, Annie Huang, Acting Director of Amnesty International Taiwan, said:
“Taiwan has today made history in the fight for equality for LGBTI people. Love has won over hate, and equality has won over discrimination.”
She described it as a moment to cherish after a long and arduous campaign, while also urging the Taiwanese government to continue eliminating all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
For Liu, that legal shift changed more than paperwork. It changed how he introduces the person beside him at a supermarket checkout.
Find the post here:
Watch their wedding video here:
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
Thailand Celebrates LGBTQ Rights as 300 Same-Sex Couples Register Marriages in Bangkok
SinglePore to Revive with Exciting New LGBTQ+ Event, SingGayPore
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