Taiwan may wave the rainbow flag proudly at its Pride parades, but inside many classrooms the colors still fade to grey. A new nationwide survey by the Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association has revealed that nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ+ students have heard homophobic remarks from their own teachers or school staff, while 51.7 percent of respondents reported hearing the word “gay” used as a negative term in school settings, proving that equality on paper doesn’t yet mean safety at school. These figures are striking, especially in a society where Taiwan is often seen as a regional leader on LGBTQ rights. But for many queer youth, legal progress has not translated into safety and acceptance in daily life. The survey further reveals deeper cracks in the school support system: only 6.4 percent of the sampled schools had LGBTQ-friendly student clubs, suggesting minimal institutional scaffolding for vulnerable students. Although fewer respondents say they feel unsafe compared to earlier surveys, prejudiced language and microaggressions remain alarmingly widespread. The persistence of discriminatory remarks—especially from authority figures—undermines efforts at creating truly inclusive classrooms.
To understand why these numbers matter so much, one must look at the broader climate for LGBTQ people, particularly youth, in Taiwan. In 2019, Taiwan made international headlines by becoming the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. This milestone was celebrated as a major victory for equality, but it was never a complete solution. Same-sex couples still lack full parity in areas like adoption, and gaps in social acceptance remain unfilled. Public opinion has broadly shifted in favor of equality: a 2024 government-commissioned survey found that approximately 69.1 percent of Taiwanese respondents supported same-sex marriage. And earlier polling shows that support has grown dramatically over the decade—one survey reported support moving from 37.4 percent in 2018 to over two thirds in recent years. Still, pockets of resistance persist. For example, a recent study found that a large majority of Taiwanese respondents strongly oppose gender self-identification (i.e. allowing people to declare their gender identity without surgical or medical criteria).
For LGBTQ youth, these contradictions are deeply felt. On one hand, the law recognizes their relationships; on the other, many cannot speak or exist openly at home or school without fear of stigma. In the 2022 “Careful Hope” survey by the Institute of Ethnology at Academia Sinica—an independent, large-scale look at LGBTI community life—respondents described continuing challenges with familial acceptance, coming out, and mental health difficulties. Mental health studies show elevated risks: LGBTQ individuals in Taiwan, especially youth, face higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior relative to their peers. The constant pressure to conceal one’s identity, the stress of navigating stigma, and the lack of affirming spaces all take a measurable toll.
In education, Taiwan’s Gender Equity Education Act (enacted in 2004) was intended to combat gender discrimination, promote equality, and prohibit biased content in schooling. Over the years it has been amended and invoked to include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. But the implementation on the ground remains patchy. According to critics, many teachers lack relevant training, and some schools avoid pro-LGBT curricula to evade backlash. In fact, in response to the 2025 survey’s findings, some lawmakers and advocates are calling for a mandatory overhaul: gender equality education should become a core component of teacher training, not just optional professional development. Officials from the Ministry of Education have reportedly considered adding gender-equality metrics into evaluations of teacher preparation programs. If the survey is any indication, change is urgent. Hearing homophobic remarks from school staff not only harms a student’s sense of belonging and dignity—it sends a message that queer lives are not respected even by those entrusted with their education.
Taiwan stands at a crossroads. The promise of legal equality is not enough while many queer youth still internalize shame daily in classrooms across the island. To move beyond symbolic victories, Taiwan must strengthen policy enforcement, build affirming structures in schools (like support clubs and training for teachers), and invest in the mental health of LGBTQ students. Only then can the ideals behind its landmark marriage law begin to truly ripple into everyday life in every school hallway.