A Historical Analysis of Prevalent Frames of Gay Rights in Taiwan

• In Event: Pride and Prejudice: Global Perspectives on LGBT+ Visibility and Tolerance

Abstract

This paper aims to offer a historical account of the trajectory and development of pro- and anti-gay rights in Taiwan between 2013 and 2020 when there has been a growing salience of issues regarding same-sex marriage and LGBT-inclusive education in elementary and junior high schools. I treat the prevalence of master frames as the dependent variable and examine how policy frames of gay rights and family values have evolved over time in response to structural factors which include the cultural background, political events, policy outcomes, elite support, and institutional changes. I adopt the thematic content analysis to code the master frames found in the messages posted in their public Facebook fan pages by the four most prominent pro- and anti-gay rights groups in Taiwan. The results of the historical analysis show that the prevalent master frames of gay rights have shifted after events of political opportunities have happened.

Author

• Shih-chan Dai, University of California Los Angeles