The group Lobby Alliance for LGBT Human Rights marked the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014, by conducting a protest to pressure Taiwan’s government to approve a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.

The bill has been stalled in the Legislature since last October, and its progress constitutes one of the major priorities of local activists in the country at the moment. The protest also served to remember the victims of hate crimes, and was marked by its creativity and impact – with various photos of the event shared widely on social media, including internationally.

Local activists installed 100 tombstones which were made of cardboard – each engraved with the names of people who had lost their lives due to hatred against LGBTI people, either through being killed or through committing suicide. The protest took place in Ketagalan Boulevard, one of the main avenues in the capital, which leads to Taiwan’s Presidential Building.

Credit: Courtesy of Ketty W. Chen

“Do you know how much I hurt?” | Courtesy of Ketty W. Chen

Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline is a mixed LGBT association which offers a diverse range of services, from support groups for LGBT parents, to telephone counselling, to HIV/AIDS health services and support, to community building projects. Their website, in Taiwanese, is: http://www.hotline.org.tw

Also, 17 different groups, clubs and LGBT-friendly stores jointly signed a declaration to start conversation with the public at large to educate people that sexual minorities are no different than anyone else and are entitled to dignity and respect.

An IDAHO closing LGBT pool party was also held.