Gay Guide Taiwan

There is neither the concept of homosexuality in Taiwanese law, nor a concept that includes an age of consent. One is allowed to marry from the age of 18 and is thus automatically of full ciminal responsibility, but legally of full age only at the age of 20. Ten same-sex couples were married at a mass wedding in Taipei on 24 October 2015 in an event organised by the city authorities - a novelty at the event for heterosexual couples which has been held twice a year since 1973. Even the Mayor of Taipei, Ko Wen-je, took part in the event. Nevertheless, the ceremony was not legally binding. On 24 May 2017, the Constitutional Court ruled that prohibiting the marriage of homosexual couples was unconstitutional - and gave Parliament two years to open marriage. After that deadline, marriage for all will be possible in one fell swoop - making Taiwan the first country in Asia to introduce gay marriage. Taiwan is generally regarded a pioneer among its neighbouring countries in terms of LGBT rights. According to an April 2006 survey, 75% of the Taiwanese accept homosexual relationships. In 2007, a law was passed prohibiting discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation. The Taiwan Pride in Taipei was the first such event in a Chinese-speaking country in 2003. It is attended by more and more people every year - by 2018 it had risen to 137,000 participants. Prides are also held in the cities of Kaohsiung and Taichung.