LGBTQ+ Students Face Persistent Challenges in Taiwan Schools Despite Progress 

LGBTQ+ Student Survey Shows Progress and Challenges 

REPORTER:   

A new survey of LGBTQ+ students shows growing feelings of safety at school over the last five years, but abuse, harassment, and a lack of institutional support remain. 

REPORTER:   

LGBTQ+ rights activists say Taiwan’s schools need to act. NGO Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association spent the summer of last year collecting online responses from over 1700 LGBTQ+ middle and high school students, and the results are mixed. 

REPORTER:   

There are areas of improvement since the last survey in 2020. Students who feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation is down from 36 to 26 percent. There’s a decrease in fears over gender expression—how students present to the world—as well. When it comes to harassment and abuse, the numbers are less than encouraging. 

Peng Chih-liu (TAIWAN TONGZHI HOTLINE ASSOC.): 

As for harassment, there’s a clear improvement. There are fewer instances of discriminatory language since last time. But harassment, attacks and bullying haven’t changed. There is less verbal [abuse] but actual harassment, attacks and even physical violence, online exclusion or social bullying haven’t budged. 

REPORTER:   

At just under 58%, a majority have been verbally harassed. 20% have been physically harassed. And a little over 3% have even been physically assaulted. 

REPORTER:   

Transgender students face the most fear. Only around 8% have access to all-gender toilets—and fears about safety in school are high. 43% of transgender students feel unsafe because of their gender expression. That's compared to just 16% of their L, G, and B peers. 

REPORTER:   

Hostile remarks about LGBTQ+ people from teachers and online bullying persist too, dragging down students’ feelings of belonging and promoting absenteeism. 

REPORTER:   

The survey also asked about support from schools—from clubs and events, to supportive policies, and even just openness about discussing LGBTQ issues. Here, too, the results show limited change over the past five years. 

Fan Yun (LEGISLATOR, DPP): 

One third of students have never been taught about LGBTQ+ issues in class.This reflects not only a lack of gender-sensitive staff, educational materials and resources, it's also possible the teachers themselves need more awareness of gender sensitivity. 

REPORTER:   

The NGOs represented here have 13 recommendations from the government to the school level, including LGBTQ+ topics in the classroom, promoting LGBTQ+ events on campus and revising policies that may be discriminatory. And some officials say they are taking action. 

Hsu Hui-ching (EDUCATION MINISTRY): 

On April 20, 2023 we released guidelines for gender-inclusive restrooms and dorms. In 2024, we completed a reference manual on building gender-inclusive restrooms on campus.In 2025, we’re developing a reference manual for gender-inclusive dorms. 

REPORTER:   

Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019—and it’s known as an LGBTQ+ friendly corner of the region. But those gathered here say there’s more work to do, especially when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ youth as they grow. 

Howard Chang and John Van Trieste for TaiwanPlus.