Taiwan

Neither the term "homosexuality" nor the concept of an age of consent exist in Taiwanese legislation. Marriage is legal from the age of 18, and that too is the age people become fully accountable by law. Yet, legally, people become adult when they are 20 years of age. Taiwan is claiming to be the first area in China to hold a gay rights parade, after the first such event took place in November 2003. The parade in Taipei with around 300 participants dressed in costumes, many with masks and carrying rainbow flags. The event was designed to promote the planned legalization of gay marriage proposed in October 2003, which has remained shelved since then. According to a survey carried out in April 2006, 75 % of the Taiwanese population accept homosexual relationships. A bill prohibiting discrimination at the workplace on the grounds of sexual orientation was passed in 2007. Tolerance and acceptance are spreading very rapidly in Taiwanese society; the Pride Parade in October 2007 was attended by 10,000 to 15,000 people of virtually every persuasion. In the opening speech for Pride Week 2006, Taipei mayor Ma Ying-Jeou declared: "Tolerance is a necessary virtue for a world-class city...; Taipei is a multilayered city that is full of love, peace and tolerance." The worldwide success of Taiwanese director Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" was immediately followed by plans for a further three movies and twelve projects in 2006.