Suicide of Jacques Picoux

A prominent member of the LGBT community who had lived there since 1979, Public polls around the time showed that nearly three-quarters of the Taiwanese people supported same-sex marriage. In 2019, Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage, and many people held a remembrance for Picoux at the time. Some groups in Taiwan have honoured him when advocating for LGBT rights in Taiwan, promising that there won't "be another Jacques Picoux"-like tragedy. ==Drafting of new legislation==

LGBT rights advocates have said that there may now be a breakthrough in legislation, with an increase of support for same-sex marriage among members of the Legislative Yuan. Taiwanese Pride Watch activist Cindy Su says that "We actually can see that there are about 66 legislators who will probably vote yes on marriage equality", making it a majority of 58.4%. Justice Hsu will become the nation's next Judicial Yuan President, after lawmakers approved his nomination in October 2016. Yu Mei-nu, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party, has drafted a new law to be presented to legislators, and it may be passed as early as next year. Homosexuality is considered taboo in many East Asian countries, and is illegal across much of South Asia. Same-sex marriage in Taiwan became legal on 24 May 2019. This made Taiwan the first nation in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage. ==LGBT rights in Taiwan==

Taiwan is considered a very progressive society regarding gay rights, In December 2016, Taiwan's highest health authority announced plans to ban conversion therapy, which aims to change a person's sexual orientation. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said that the ban would take effect from March 2017. However, Taiwanese author Chu Hsin-yi (瞿欣怡), has criticized Taiwan for "calling itself gay-friendly... while being unwilling to let loose, even a bit, regulations affecting gay rights." Despite fervent campaigning from anti-LGBT rights groups, LGBT rights in Taiwan made a historic step forward in 2019 with the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Though there are still some things missing from the introduction of same-sex marriage, such as international spouses from countries that do not allow same-sex marriages to be performed being barred from marrying in Taiwan itself, it is viewed as a great move forward for LGBT rights in the region. == References ==