Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/06/23
By: Stacy Hsu

Taipei, June 23 (CNA) A legislator and several civic groups called on the government Sunday work harder toward achieving gender equality in schools, at an event to mark the 15th anniversary of a law to raise gender awareness among students and protect the rights of young people regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Speaking at a press conference in Taipei, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Yu Mei-nu (尤美女) said 2019 is an important year in Taiwan, as it marks the country's legalization of same-sex marriage, the 15th anniversary of its Gender Equity Education Act, and its planned introduction of a new 12-year national education curriculum in August.

Despite those achievements, Yu said, about 7 million Taiwanese voted last November in support of a referendum that called for a ban on homosexual-related education in elementary and junior high schools.

"The passage of that referendum has dealt a major blow to long-time advocates of gender equality education and has subjected children with different gender traits or sexual orientation to more pressure and difficulties," Yu said.    [FULL  STORY]