In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, gaining international recognition for its efforts in promoting gender equality. In 2020, Taipei City also became the first city in Asia to sign and join the Rainbow Cities Network (RCN), becoming the 31st city of its international membership. This milestone not only serves as a marketing campaign for a gender-friendly city but also demonstrates Taiwan's commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and inclusivity. It signifies a significant milestone in Taipei City's journey towards gender equality and holds great significance in promoting gender rights in the region, with the hope of inspiring other cities in Asia to join in these efforts.
Please refer to the [link] for the introduction of Taipei City on the RCN website.
The RCN, initiated by the Dutch government in 2012, focuses on cities as the main entities. It involves the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by mayors or deputy mayors representing participating cities. Currently, it includes 30 member cities from 16 countries, primarily in Europe (its membership continues to expand). The purpose of RCN is to facilitate the exchange of experiences among local governments and foster collaborative efforts to develop administrative measures that protect and eliminate discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, actively safeguarding their basic rights.
The Taipei City Government has long been committed to promoting gender equality and diversity policies which advance gender inclusivity. In addition to continuously advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, Taipei City will engage in discussions and policy exchanges with other member cities, working together to create a city that embraces diversity and inclusivity for all genders!
The main axis of the 2023 International Photo Exhibition is "Queer Youth". 19 cities are participating in the exhibition this year, including Taipei City and New Taipei City, Taiwan; Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Hannover, Mannheim, and Heidelberg, Germany; Paris, France; Rotterdam, Netherlands; Vienna, Austria; Bern, Zurich, and Geneva, Switzerland; Helsinki, Finland; Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark; Cork, Ireland; and Ljubljana, Slovenia; Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark; Cork, Ireland; Ljubljana, Slovenia, etc. Welcome to read and enjoy!