Between Tradition and Identity: Struggles of Indigenous LGBTQ+ People in Taiwan

Taiwan is celebrated as a pioneer for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia, yet Indigenous queer and transgender individuals often encounter deep-seated cultural taboos within their communities. In many of Taiwan's 17 recognized Indigenous groups, traditional attire and strict gender roles serve as core markers of cultural preservation against historical assimilation. Transgender Paiwan hairdresser Resa shares her journey of spending years contributing to her community before earning the village elders' permission to wear traditional women's clothing. Meanwhile, advocates like Akuanʉ Kulatana of the Taiwan Indigenous LGBTQ Alliance highlight the fear of rejection from extended families across different tribes. Indigenous gender scholars argue that inclusivity requires examining how colonial histories shaped current binary norms while empowering youth to express their authentic identities.