Country Overview
Taiwan
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
Actions Related to SOGI at the UN:
2016:
2019:
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LGBTIQ people enjoy widespread legal protections in Taiwan; however, some barriers to full equality remain. In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage, and in 2018, government officials announced that a third gender option on identification documents would be available starting in 2020. Also, in 2018, the Ministry of Health and Welfare effectively banned “conversion therapy” throughout Taiwan, making it only one of five countries to ban harmful practices. Taiwanese law protects LGBTIQ people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment and education. Historically, LGBTIQ issues and identities were taboo in Taiwan; however, in the past two decades, LGBTIQ people have gained support from the majority of Taiwanese citizens. The media accurately and empathetically discusses LGBTIQ issues and depicts LGBTIQ people. There are many prominent LGBTIQ public figures, although LGBTIQ people are underrepresented in positions of power in politics and business.
Global Impact
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Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes, and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people on the continent.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
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Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.
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