Taiwan, Asia

The Republic of China has a dynamic capitalist, export-driven economy with gradually decreasing state involvement in investment and foreign trade. The trade surplus is substantial, and foreign reserves are the world's fifth largest as December 2007. Taiwan's current GDP per capita is equal to the average of EU Countries. Taiwan is one of Asia's most progressive countries as far as gay rights are concerned, not only since the government's plan to introduce same-sex marriage in 2003. Taiwan is also described as the most liberal after almost 15,000 attended the Taiwan Pride parade 2007, making it the largest LGBT event in Asia.

 

News & Reports:

 

Taiwan makes history with election of Huang Jie, its first ever out LGBTQ+ legislator

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), Jie, 30, won 51 per cent of the vote whilst her opponent Chen Mei-ya received 42 per cent. “This has never been done before,” she told voters following her election victory, “but we did it. We’ve made history. “A 30 year old in Kaohsiung can make their mark.”… Read more »

Taiwan: The best LGBTQ+ destinations in one of Asia’s most progressive countries

From gay bars to cafés and book shops, there are countless destinations for the LGBTQ+ community in Taiwan. As the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage, Taiwan is known for its progressive LGBTQ+ values. Did you know that Taiwan is the only jurisdiction in Asia – and the Chinese-speaking world, as a matter of… Read more »

Taiwan grants right of adoption to same-sex couples in latest move toward full equality

Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan’s legislature passed a bill Tuesday that granted same-sex couples the right to jointly adopt a child neither of them are related to, clearing one of the final hurdles in achieving full marriage equality. Taiwan in 2019 became the first jurisdiction in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage but it stopped short of… Read more »

Taiwan: The best LGBTQ+ destinations in one of Asia’s most progressive countries

From gay bars to cafés and book shops, there are countless destinations for the LGBTQ+ community in Taiwan. As the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage, Taiwan is known for its progressive LGBTQ+ values. Did you know that Taiwan is the only jurisdiction in Asia – and the Chinese-speaking world, as a matter of… Read more »

Taiwan celebrates diversity, equality in east Asia’s largest Pride march

Taipei – About 120,000 people, many carrying rainbow flags, marched through Taiwan’s capital Taipei on Saturday to celebrate LGBTQ+ equality in east Asia’s largest Pride march. Taiwan legalised same-sex marriage in 2019 in a first for Asia, and is proud of its reputation as a bastion of LGBTQ+ rights and liberalism. The rainy streets of… Read more »

How Taiwan Became the First in Asia To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Source – YouTube

Taiwan Same-Sex Couples Say ‘I Do’ At A First For Military Wedding

At a mass military wedding in Taiwan, two women became the first military officers to marry their same-sex civilian partners, Reuters reports. The Taiwanese defence ministry described the event as “open and progressive” and gave its blessings to all 188 couples married during the mass wedding. “I am hoping to boost the visibility of homosexuals… Read more »

Two lesbian couples marry in mass wedding held by Taiwan’s military

Taiwan is the only place in Asia to have legalized gay marriage, with more than 4,000 same-sex couples marrying since the legislation passed in May 2019. Taoyuan, Taiwan — Two lesbian couples tied the knot in a mass wedding held by Taiwan’s military on Friday in a historic celebration with their peers. Taiwan is the… Read more »

Thousands join Taiwan’s 17th LGBT Pride parade

Clelbration:The first LGBT pride parade held since the legalization of same-sex marriage in May brought people to the streets of Taipei to ring in ‘year zero’ More than 200,000 people participated in the 17th Taiwan LGBT Pride parade in Taipei yesterday, celebrating what they dubbed “year zero” for marriage equality. The event’s organizers called on… Read more »

Thousands attend Taiwan’s first pride since legalisation of gay marriage

Revellers march through Taipei as same-sex equality continues to divide country Nearly 200,000 revellers have marched through Taipei in a riot of rainbow colours and celebration as Taiwan held its first pride parade since making history in Asia by legalising gay marriage. The island has long hosted the region’s largest pride marches but this year… Read more »

Taiwan legalises same-sex marriage in first for Asia

On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on Friday (May 17), Taiwan has become the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Legislators voted for a government-backed bill that would define a union between a same-sex couple as a marriage. Conservative opponents had proposed rival bills that would define partnerships as “same-sex unions”… Read more »

The tortuous path to gay marriage in Taiwan

Even when gay marriage seemed inevitable, opponents did not give up When taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalise gay marriage on May 17th, it was not only the tens of thousands of rainbow flag-waving demonstrators outside the legislature who cheered. Advocates of equal rights across Asia declared Taiwan a beacon of inspiration.… Read more »

Taiwan’s capital opens process for same-sex marriage

Taiwan will become the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage on 24 May The government of Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, opened bookings for same-sex couples to get married on Tuesday (23 April) . The city government is now taking on-site and telephone bookings for marriage registration, according to the city’s Department of Civil Affairs.… Read more »

These are the movies you need to watch to mark same-sex marriage in Taiwan

GagaOOLala, known as ‘Asia’s LGBTI Netflix’, has put together a package of equal marriage flicks Taiwan is set to become the first country in Asia to legalize same sex unions by May 24. To mark the occasion, the region’s first online LGBTI streaming service, GagaOOLala, have chosen 24 movies on the topic. The ‘Go! Marriage… Read more »

Taiwan’s same-sex marriage bill falls short

Taiwan’s premier asked the country’s ‘homosexual friends’ to ‘wait a bit longer’ Taiwan on Thursday (21 February) became the first country in Asia to submit a same-sex marriage bill to parliament. But as the details emerged, the government, lawmakers, and activists admitted it fell short of true marriage equality. Lawmakers from both major parties have… Read more »

Turning a Chinese classic into a look at the gay scene in Taiwan’s capital

The Story of the Stone gives a raw portrayal of Taipei’s LGBTI scene with a modern take on a classic Chinese love story It’s a Happy New Year feast for the eyes with Taiwan’s recent addition to Asia’s leading LGBTI film streaming service. The Story of the Stone is now available on LGBTI film streaming… Read more »

Almost 4,000 same-sex couples have registered in Taiwan

Almost 4,000 same-sex couples have registered in Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Interior. This figure comes after Taiwan voted against the constitutional legalization of same-sex marriage in a referendum on 24 November. A total of 3,951 same-sex couples registered over a period of three-and-a-half years. While LGBTI rights activists said that the increasing number… Read more »

Same-sex marriage vote is tearing families apart in Taiwan

Generational differences have divided the country as Taiwan heads to the polls to vote on LGBTI rights LGBTI rights supporters in Taiwan have spent the last week clashing with older relatives as the country heads towards a referendum on equal marriage. Taiwan residents will vote on whether the country’s Civil Code should recognize equal marriage… Read more »

Ten of the best photos from Miss First Nation Taiwan beauty pageant

Taiwan celebrated its aboriginal drag queens this weekend in the capital, Taipei Drag artiste Rose Mary was crowned Miss First Nation Taiwan in the inaugural drag beauty pageant in Taipei on Saturday (10 November). The event saw four drag queens from Taiwan’s aboriginal community battle it out for the crown. ‘I did something I considered… Read more »

Taiwan’s Gay Pride Parade Draws Thousands, as Votes on Same-Sex Marriage Near

Taipei, Taiwan — A year ago, participants in Taipei’s annual gay pride parade — the biggest event of its kind in East Asia — had a lot to celebrate. Taiwan’s constitutional court had given the government until May 2019 to legalize same-sex marriage, ruling that the civil code’s definition of marriage as being between a… Read more »

The modern gay history of Taipei, Asia’s most LGBTI-friendly city

Cruising grounds, police raids, and the biggest Pride in East Asia It’s undeniable: Taipei is one of the greatest LGBTI cities in the entire world. The Taiwanese capital is the epicenter of gay rights in the country. The city hosts the second largest gay pride in Asia (behind Tel Aviv, Israel), the country is becoming… Read more »

Queer Asia: a hot new docu-series exploring LGBTI life in the region

Taiwan’s first out gay singer will be one of the hosts of the show Asia’s first LGBT streaming service is going from strength to strength and has created original queer content. Queer Taiwan is the first LGBT original series produced by GagaOOLala which launched last year. The show is a docu-series taking a look at… Read more »

Asia’s biggest gay pride parade brings tens of thousands to Taipei

Event is first since Taiwan ruled in favour of gay marriage but some activists are frustrated by slow progress of legalisation A sea of rainbow flags and glitzy costumes filled downtown Taipei as tens of thousands marched in Asia’s largest gay pride parade, the first since Taiwan’s top court ruled in favour of gay marriage.… Read more »

A backlash against same-sex marriage tests Taiwan’s reputation for gay rights

Taipei, Taiwan — The gay rights activists raised sticks of incense and appealed to Taiwan’s most popular deity: Mazu, Goddess of the sea, protect us. Or rather, Mazu, Goddess of the sea, protect us, too. Just months ago, Taiwan appeared to be on the verge of legalizing same-sex marriage. It was to become the first… Read more »

Circuit Parties Began Fading in North America a Decade Ago—Why Are They So Hot in Asia?

On Saturday, hordes of gay men and other dance lovers will descend upon a club space in Manhattan for the Black Party, an edgier, kinkier underground variant of the “circuit party,” a gay institution that has, for better or worse, defined a certain strain of macho, drug-embracing, sex-positive party culture since their initial appearance around… Read more »

Taiwan’s top court is hearing a case that could make marriage equality legal

Taiwain’s Supreme Court is hearing a case that could make same-sex marriages legal. The 14 judges are currently hearing a case that, if siccesful for the gay rights activists, could make it the first nation in Asia to introduce equality. Long-serving gay activist Chi Chia-wei attempted at registering marriage with his male partner in 2013,… Read more »

On Taking Gay Rights From Taipei to Beijing: Don’t Call It a ‘Movement’

Taiwan moved one step closer last month to becoming the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, when a legislative committee passed draft changes to the island’s civil code. The proposed amendments have been sent to party caucuses for negotiation and possibly further revision before a final version is approved outright or goes to… Read more »

Same-sex marriage passes first hurdle in Taiwanese Legislature

Same-sex marriage could soon become a reality in Taiwan, as a bill to legalise it has passed a Parliamentary Committee. The Committee in Taiwan’s Legislature passed an amendment to include same-sex marriage in the Civil Code of the country on Monday. The passage of the amendment is the first step in legalising same-sex marriage. Article… Read more »

Thousands in Taiwan call on their government to be the first in Asia to legalize gay marriage

As Taiwan enters the final stage of a debate over whether to legalize same-sex marriage, supporters of the move have made a final push to convince Taiwan’s lawmakers to pass the relevant legislation. On Saturday (Dec. 10), supporters of LGBT rights gathered at Ketagalan Boulevard, the main artery around the presidential office. Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan,… Read more »

Taiwan debates gay marriage

It would be the first country in Asia to legalise it On The eighth floor in a gritty suburb of the capital, Taipei, sits the ten-year-old Wei-ming temple, a Taoist house of worship—but an unusual one. Nearly all the visitors buying bundles of prayers or bringing handwritten ones of their own to be burnt by… Read more »

Federal Judge Rules That Title VII Covers Sexual Orientation Discrimination

A federal judge in Pittsburgh on Thursday ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is representing Dale Baxley in his claim that Scott Medical Health Center of Pittsburgh created a sexually hostile work environment because he’s… Read more »

82,000 Join Taiwan LGBT Pride Parade; Justice Minister Calls For Marriage Equality

Over 80,000 people on Saturday marched in Taiwan’s largest LGBT Pride parade. According to The China Post, attendance at Taipei’s 14th annual parade increased from 78,000 last year to 82,000 this year. Marchers dressed in colorful costumes and waived rainbow flags as they paraded in front of Taiwan’s presidential palace. One marcher waved a sign… Read more »

Death of gay professor may lead to same-sex marriage in Taiwan

Jacques Picoux’s death was described as a ‘pivotal moment’ by LGBT activists in the country. Seen by many as one of the most progressive countries in Asia on LGBT rights, Taiwan is yet to introduce marriage equality, allowing only limited recognition of same-sex relationships. The government’s slow progress on the issue has been felt by… Read more »

Watch: Same-sex couples join Taiwan mass wedding

Ten same-sex couples marry in a mass wedding that officially opens to gay couples for the first time since it started in 1973 A mass wedding was held in Taiwan on Saturday with 123 couples tying the knot in a joint ceremony in Taipei. Although gay marriage is not legal in the country, 10 same-sex… Read more »

Taipei gets ready for one of the region’s largest LGBT events of the year

The last Saturday of October sees the arrival of Taipei’s Gay Pride Parade and Party As one of the largest gay events in Taiwan (and Asia), Saturday 31 October will see more than 80,000 revellers descend on the streets of Taipei. The parade starts from Gay Pride Village (Ketagalan Blvd) then moves through the streets… Read more »

Thousands rally for gay marriage in Taiwan

In wake of US ruling, numbers estimated in their thousands come out to push for Taiwan to legalize same-sex unions On Saturday gay rights supporters marched through the streets of Taipei to push for same-sex marriage. The march ran between parliament and the headquarters of Taiwan’s two main political parties. Supporters waved rainbow flags and… Read more »

In wake of U.S. ruling, Taiwanese rally for gay marriage

Thousands of gay rights supporters marched through Taipei on Saturday, months ahead of elections that are likely to usher in a pro-gay party and could make Taiwan the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Protesters waved rainbow flags, lit candles and shouted “gay votes are still votes” as they marched between parliament and… Read more »

First Pink Dot rally held in Taipei

3000 people attended the inaugural LGBT rally, Pink Dot, in Taipei this weekend. Huashan creative park in Taipei witnessed the first Pink Dot rally in the city, meaning that Taipei joins the likes of Okiwana, Hong Kong, Montreal, Toronto, and Utah in hosting the event. With the tagline ‘Freedom to love’, Pink Dot originated in… Read more »

Lesbian couple first to ‘adopt’ child in indigenous ceremony

The adoption ceremony held in traditional in Rukai culture is not known to have been held for a same-sex couple before. A lesbian couple belonging to a rural community in Taiwan has became the first aboriginal couple there to adopt a child even though current national laws forbid marriage between same-sex couples and bar the… Read more »

Taiwan: Survey reveals 68% support same-sex marriage

An online poll released today has shown a significant surge in the number of people in Taiwan who back same-sex marriage. Pollster Online Survey interviewed 1,660 respondents aged 13 and above on 30 October. It came after a coalition of over 120 gay rights groups campaigned outside the Taiwanese parliament earlier in the month, as… Read more »