Wang Yu-ling, Vice Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission of Taiwan (NHRC), along with French LGBT+ Rights Ambassador Jean-Marc Berthon, Commissioners Chi Hui-jung, Kao Yung-cheng, Yeh Ta-hua, and Advisor Mab Huang, participated in Asia’s most prominent LGBT+ Pride Parade in Taiwan on October 26th.
In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia—and the 27th worldwide—to legalize same-sex marriage, setting a benchmark for other nations in the region. This year, Thailand passed marriage equality legislation with overwhelming support, further affirming that universal human rights are not exclusive to Western societies alone.
Even with legal protections, societal gender stereotypes and discrimination cannot be eliminated immediately. This is why the NHRC is once again joining Taiwan’s LGBT+ Pride Parade this year, advocating for a collective movement to advance and safeguard human rights within their communities, educational institutions, workplaces, and beyond. Only through such commitment can we promote a society, nation, and world that embraces diversity, inclusion, and equality.
On October 25th, the eve of the parade, Ambassador Jean-Marc Berthon, along with Vincent Yanelle, the Head of Political Affairs, Press and Communication Section of the French Office in Taipei, visited the NHRC to discuss LGBT+ rights. Ambassador Berthon emphasized his mandate from French President Emmanuel Macron, who appointed him as LGBT+ Ambassador in October 2022, to prioritize the protection of LGBT+ rights and combating discrimination as key elements of French foreign policy. Vice Chairperson Wang Yu-ling and Commissioner Chi Hui-jung highlighted Taiwan's recent advancements in LGBT+ rights while also recognizing areas that still need improvement. The dialogue included updates from both Taiwan and France on significant issues, such as enabling transgender individuals to change their gender markers without surgical intervention, and strengthening anti-discrimination and assisted reproduction legislation. The French delegation also expressed concerns regarding the difficulties faced by Taiwanese-Chinese same-sex couples who must marry in a third country, acknowledging the complex geopolitical context.
At the parade, the NHRC actively engaged participants and onlookers by distributing rainbow flags, temporary tattoos, and other materials, creating an energetic and inclusive atmosphere. The NHRC is committed to collaborating with all sectors to promote LGBT+ rights and envisions a society where everyone is treated with dignity and acceptance—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.