Taiwan will add a third gender option to passports and ID cards, pending ministry approval

Another win for LGBTQ rights in Asia

The Gender Equality Committee of the Taiwan’s main legislative body announced last week that they have undertaken the legal research and approval process necessary to add a third gender option on Taiwanese ID cards. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already declared there should be no problem adding the new gender option to passports as well.

The addition of a third gender option on identification documents helps protect the rights of transgender, intersex, and other gender-diverse individuals. Following Taiwan’s legalization of gay marriage last spring, this step further cements their status as a beacon of LGBTQ rights in Asia.

Only a handful of other countries have approved an alternative gender option for passports. Last year, Canada joined Australia, Denmark, Germany, Malta, New Zealand, Pakistan, India, Ireland and Nepal in adding a third option on passports.

In mainland China, the LGBTQ community continues to struggle for recognition and acceptance. In a survey of LGBT quality of life last year among 100 cities, Beijing came in dead last. Gay rights conferences are shut down, and some continue to face homophobia and gay conversion therapy. In response to Taiwan’s legalization of gay marriage last year, some Chinese netizens considered moving there en masse.