Many consider Taiwan to be East Asia’s friendliest country for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders.
The News Lens
Date: 2016/10/20
By: Alexander Melnik
Many people know Taiwan for its rapid economic growth. As one of the Four Asian Dragons, Taiwan –
CREDIT: The News Lens
along with Singapore, South Korea, and Hong Kong – quickly industrialized from the 1960s to the 1990s. Much of Taiwan’s identity has also been defined by its successful development of a democratic system and its complicated relationship with China. But few may realize that Taiwan is also one of Asia’s most LGBT-friendly countries.
In a controversial McDonald’s McCafé ad earlier this year, a young Taiwanese man comes out to his father by writing the message “I like boys” (我喜歡男生) on a cup of coffee. The father storms off, only to return several minutes later to write on his son’s cup: “I accept that you like boys.”
The commercial, which first aired in March, was met by staunch opposition from the Alliance of Taiwan Religious Groups for the Protection of Family, a coalition that opposes same-sex marriage and other LGBT rights. According to the publication AdWeek, the Alliance took the position that “Even if you just want to take a leak in a McDonald’s restroom, you can’t help but feel polluted.” The group also objected to McDonald’s “openly promoting gay issues.” [FULL STORY]
