Taipei: The 2025 Taiwan LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Workplace Index was unveiled on Tuesday, highlighting 59 companies and organizations, including several local government agencies, as leaders in promoting workplace inclusivity for gender minorities.
According to Focus Taiwan, this year's index, following its inaugural edition in 2023, was compiled using self-assessment forms from participating employers. The assessments reviewed actions taken over the past two years to enhance LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the workplace. At a press event in Taipei, Juan Mei-ying, director of marketing at the Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBTQ+) Hotline Association, explained that the evaluation covered five main areas: commitment, policies and benefits, internal communities and support systems, internal training/advocacy, and external impact/advocacy. Out of 63 entities evaluated, 59 met the criteria for being recognized as "LGBTIQ+ inclusive workplaces."
Juan highlighted "commitment" as a key area, indicating that the index examines whether employers have established a clear, documented commitment to supporting an LGBTIQ+-inclusive workplace, dedicated staff to promote it, and implemented concrete measures. The specific score required to meet the threshold was not disclosed.
According to the association's secretary-general, Sean Du, the index's design was inspired by similar standards in the United States and the Netherlands. While the majority of the recognized employers are large multinational corporations and small- to medium-sized local businesses, three local government agencies distinguished themselves as the first public authorities to participate: the Taipei City Government, New Taipei City Government, and Kaohsiung's Department of Tourism.
Kao Min-lin, director-general of Kaohsiung city's tourism bureau, shared with CNA that her agency has facilitated empowerment-focused talks and courses to educate its 180 civil servants on gender equality and diversity. She encouraged her colleagues to revamp the office environment, infusing it with color and rainbow symbols, to transform the traditional government workplace into a more welcoming space.
Such initiatives have made a significant impact, Kao noted, with staff expressing that the changes have made them "feel safe and at ease working here." Du cited previous surveys indicating that many homosexual individuals, particularly in the public sector or education, feel uncomfortable coming out at work and may face workplace pressure. The participation of public-sector agencies in the index and their support for LGBTIQ+-inclusive workplaces is, therefore, "highly meaningful" to the community.
