The UCLA Taiwan in the World lecture series aims to promote Taiwan studies and disseminate knowledge about Taiwan in a global context and shed light on Taiwan’s political economy, international relations, and US-Taiwan-China relations, as well as Taiwan’s society, political system, social structure, and institutions. This series is organized by Taiwan in the World postdoctoral fellow Shih-chan Dai.
With the passage of the Act for Implementation of J.Y. Interpretation No. 748 in May 2019, Taiwan has become the first Asian country to legalize same-sex spousal rights. Many activists in other parts of East Asia have considered this legal breakthrough a sign of hope that their countries might soon follow suit. After nearly three years since the legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan, the UCLA Asia Pacific Center will convene a panel of scholars and gay rights activists to review the recent development of gay rights in East Asia. The discussants will share their insights into the opportunities and challenges local activists face when advocating for gay rights. Furthermore, they will discuss how Taiwan's experience may have changed the way gay rights activism works in other East Asian societies.