In 2019, Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the first region in Asia to do so. This study examines whether there were significant differences in Taiwanese people's attitudes toward homosexuality between 2012 and 2022. The Taiwan Social Change Survey (TSCS) conducted nationwide random sampling in both years to investigate public opinions on various gender-related issues, including attitudes toward homosexuality. In 2012, 2,072 participants were surveyed, and in 2022, 1,728 participants took part.
Results showed that over the ten-year period, negative stereotypes toward homosexuality among the Taiwanese public had significantly decreased. However, in both surveys, more than 60% of respondents believed that coming out as gay or lesbian would cause emotional distress to one's parents. Although the proportion of people who supported the right of same-sex couples to marry increased significantly, the proportion of those who opposed it also rose slightly.
The proportion of people who agreed that same-sex couples could fulfill parental roles as well as heterosexual couples increased significantly. Nevertheless, the proportions of those who agreed and disagreed that gay men could be competent parents were nearly equal. Interestingly, the 2022 survey found that 66% of participants believed homosexuals should have the right to raise children, yet only 55% believed that lesbian couples could perform parental roles well, and 48.2% thought that gay men possessed good parenting abilities.
These findings indicate that while negative stereotypes toward homosexuality in Taiwan have declined substantially, and despite the legalization of same-sex marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples, a considerable number of people still doubt whether homosexuals can serve as competent parents.