Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan responded to the Ximending gay bar search incident: requesting the police department to strengthen police discipline promotion

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan. (Photo by reporter Tian Yuhua)

Taipei City has been known as a gay-friendly city in the past, and the Gay Pride Parade will be held at the end of October. Unexpectedly, it was reported that a gay bar in Ximending, Taipei City, was searched recently. A person with a disability accused the store manager of being handcuffed for supporting him. It was also reported that police officers choked people, causing strong social backlash. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan mentioned in an interview today (5th) that no matter what age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group or identity, we all have equal rights that we must protect and enjoy. He has asked the police department to not only handle this case in accordance with regulations, but also to strengthen police discipline promotion.

Jiang Wanan said that his and the Taipei team’s long-standing goal is to ensure everyone’s personal safety and respect each other. He feels very sorry for the recent discovery of gender discrimination incidents involving police colleagues when exercising their official powers. He is very sorry for the friends who were affected.

Please read on...

Jiang Wanan said that if there is any misconduct in the law enforcement process, of course it must be strictly reviewed. He has also asked the police station and the chief to not only deal with this case in accordance with regulations, but also to strengthen police discipline promotion to avoid similar situations happening to any of our people's nannies in the future.

The reporter also asked, is it acceptable to the mayor that the police officer who verbally humiliated him will only be reprimanded once? Does advocacy education really work? There will be a gay parade at the end of the month. Isn’t Taipei a gay-friendly city? Jiang Wanan responded that of course Taipei City has always been a very honorable and friendly city. I would like to emphasize again that this time something inappropriate happened while the police were exercising their official powers. I would like to express my attitude and regret for this, and apologize to the friends who were affected. It also requires the chief and the police department to strictly review this matter and deal with relevant personnel in accordance with regulations, including publicity, so that nothing like this can happen again.