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The major religions in Taiwan are Buddhism and Taoism. In these religions, the Holy Books present no[citation needed] arguable issues about LGBTQ people. There are no laws about punishing sodomy, which means[citation needed] a sexual relationship between males is not considered an abomination[citation needed], unlike in many western and Abrahamic religions. However, it was long considered a taboo issue. When human rights issues were discussed in political arenas, the concept of “Tongzhi” (a Mandarin term which means queer or LGBT, though the direct translation is comrade) became a key term among the politicians in Taiwan. When it emerged in political forums, Taiwanese people began to become familiar with the idea that “Tongzhi" people being a part of their culture.[citation needed] Yet still, LGBTQ people were not mentioned in Taiwanese law. Punishment for being part of the LGBTQ community did not exist, yet there was also not any welfare or protection for LGBTQ people.

Beginning in the 1990s, the movements of the human rights for LGBTQ in Taiwan gained traction.[1] Since the movement emerged, Taiwan has been considered one of the most LGBTQ friendly nations in Asia. There is a large gay community and the biggest Pride Parade in Asia is held annually in Taipei. On 25 May 2017, the Supreme Court issued a long-awaited ruling on the laws banning same-sex marriage. They ruled that such laws were unconstitutional. This was a massive breakthrough for the fight for equality, as it requires the Parliament to amend the laws within two years. In 2019, same-sex marriage was fully legalized. In some cities a same sex partnership card for LGBTQ couples is issued to prove their relationship in case of emergency. LGBTQ discrimination is now banned in workplaces and schools. In addition, people can legally change their gender. Taiwan's first female president was elected in May 2016, Tsai Ing-wen, and officially supports the rights of the LGBT people. She worked to put the processes that legalized same-sex marriage into motion, and once said she desired that Taiwan become the first country in the Asia to allow same-sex marriage. Overall, Taiwan has a progressive history of LGBTQ.[2]

Timeline of LGBT history in Taiwan

See also: LGBT history in China, LGBT rights in Japan, and Homosexuality in China

References

  1. ^ Chen, Y (2010). "Obstacles to LGBT Human Rights Development in Taiwan". Positions: East Asia Cultures Critique. 18 (2): 399–407. doi:10.1215/10679847-2010-006. S2CID 145430599.
  2. ^ Johan Nylander, for (4 July 2016). "Could Taiwan be first in Asia with same-sex marriage?". CNN. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  3. ^ "STATE-SPONSORED HOMOPHOBIA" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  4. ^ "타이완의 역사". Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  5. ^ Huang, Hans Tao-Ming (21 September 2010). "From Glass Clique to Tongzhi Nation: Crystal Boys, Identity Formation, and the Politics of Sexual Shame". Positions: East Asia Cultures Critique. 18 (2): 373–398. doi:10.1215/10679847-2010-005. ISSN 1067-9847. S2CID 144558281.
  6. ^ a b shang, Ya-Ting (2013). "Cultural Competence of Sport Psychology Consultants in Taiwan in Working with LGBT Athletes". Cultural Competence of Sport Psychology Consultants in Taiwan in Working with LGBT Athletes.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "A progressive history of gay rights in Taiwan". Gay Star News. 31 October 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  8. ^ Horton, Chris (18 November 2016). "Taiwan May Be First in Asia to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Lesbian couple in first Buddhist wedding". Gay Star News. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Over half of Taiwanese support gay marriage: Survey | Taiwan News". Over half of Taiwanese support gay marriage: Survey | Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as first female president". BBC News. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  12. ^ "Taiwan gay pride: 80,000 take to streets amid rising hope for same-sex marriage". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Taiwan gay pride: 80,000 take to streets amid rising hope for same-sex marriage". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Kaohsiung issues nation's first 'partnership card' to two women | Most Viewed | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS". Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  15. ^ "대만: 가오슝시, 동성커플 증명카드 발급". 해외 성소수자 소식 블로그 미트르. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  16. ^ Shanghaiist. "Over 200,000 take to the street in Taiwan in final push for legalizing same-sex marriage". Shanghaiist. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  17. ^ "Taiwan's government legalize same-sex marriage in 1st for Asia". CBS News. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  18. ^ "Huang Jie becomes Taiwan's first openly gay legislator". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
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