2025.10.25 Taiwan People's Party Press Release

 

TPP Joins Taiwan Pride Parade, Championing "Reproductive Equality, Walking with Love"

Continued Push for Assisted Reproduction Act to Pragmatically Protect LGBTQ+ Reproductive Rights

Chen Gau-Tzu: "The right to reproduction is a constitutional right; it does not require the DPP's approval."

 

 

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) joined the 23rd Taiwan Pride Parade today (Oct. 25) , chanting the slogan "Reproductive Equality, Walking with Love" along the route. The party advocates that the Assisted Reproduction Act should not be delinked from surrogacy and is committed to amending the law to firmly defend the equal reproductive rights of all groups. Led by Legislator Chen Gau-Tzu and Taipei City Councilor Cheng You-chen, party officials joined to support the vision of diversity, equality, and coexistence , responding to this year's parade theme "Transcend Labels, Understand Differences" with the message "Love is the Strongest Hyperlink."

 

Legislator Chen Gau-Tzu stated that while Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019, legal deficiencies remain. For members of the LGBTQ+ community seeking reproductive rights, amending the Assisted Reproduction Act should be an available option in addition to adoption. The TPP's core values are diversity, respect, the rule of law, and human rights. True gender equality is realized when the constitutionally guaranteed equality for all is extended to the LGBTQ+ community in areas such as family, employment, education, marriage, and healthcare.

 

 

Legislator Chen noted that prominent US media have recently highlighted Taiwan's worsening population crisis, emphasizing the need to address reproductive issues. The government must take responsibility for young people's reluctance to have children. For infertile patients or same-sex couples, the medical system can provide assistance if the necessary legislation is passed. She stated that the TPP caucus's version of the Assisted Reproduction Act is the most comprehensive, but the law has been long overdue for revision due to the ruling party's administrative negligence. She criticized the ruling party for continuously engaging in political manipulation of this public welfare issue over the past three legislative sessions , asserting, "The right to reproduction is a constitutional right; it does not require the DPP's consent. The government's role is simply to assist and manage it." The TPP caucus has designated the Assisted Reproduction Act as a priority bill and continues to negotiate with other parties for its passage. This is not only to support all groups in their pursuit of happiness but also to rescue Taiwan's plummeting birth rate.

 

Cheng You-chen shared that the TPP has participated in the Pride parade many times to express its support. This year, the party emphasizes the theme "Hyperlink," hoping society can move beyond the cornerstone of equal rights toward mutual prosperity and coexistence. He noted that during Ko Wen-je's tenure as mayor, the Taipei City Government prioritized seeking constitutional interpretations for LGBTQ+-related bills to secure gay rights. The TPP legislative caucus has also been pragmatic and proactive in proposing legislation to codify protections for the LGBTQ+ community.

 

 

Councilor Cheng pointed out that in past Pride parades, it has not been uncommon to see supporters of the ruling party attacking opposition parties for their actions and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. "The colors of the rainbow should not belong to any single political party, nor should they be used to attack other parties," said Chen. "If you truly cherish the rainbow flag, you should not use our LGBTQ+ partners as a weapon to attack others."

 

Councilor Cheng emphasized, "Judge people by what they do, not what they say." As a newly established party, the TPP, much like the LGBTQ+ community, has grown stronger amidst misunderstandings. "We will continue our efforts, persist in promoting human rights protections, and advance steadily alongside the LGBTQ+ community," he concluded.

 

 

TPP Chairman KC Huang also expressed his blessings to the LGBTQ+ community through a special video message. He stated that while Taiwan became the first country in Asia and the 27th in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019, the protection of LGBTQ+ rights and the awareness of gender equality cannot merely exist in laws; they must be truly implemented in everyday life.

 

KC Huang called on society to move beyond labels, replace confrontation with connection, and replace prejudice with understanding, to jointly build a more diverse, unique, free, and equal beautiful Taiwan. Finally, Huang wished this year's Pride parade a great success, concluding, "May everyone who is brave enough to be themselves be treated with kindness by the world."