Photos
OUT IN TAIWAN is a project spearheaded by internationally renowned fashion photographer and film director Leslie Kee and co-executed by GagaOOLala, GagaTai, LalaTai, the LGBTQ online entertainment service in Taiwan. Kee’s wish is to introduce the Taiwanese public to the diverse faces of the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community and humanise what it means to be LGBTQ.
The purpose of OUT IN TAIWAN is to foster a society that is accepting and supportive of LGBTQ persons who wish to come out to family, friends and peers in the community. For LGBTQ individuals, coming out is a gradual and often fraught process. How and when each individual comes out varies. Fear of distressing family members or facing discrimination at work makes coming out even harder. Some people choose to live their lives in hiding. However, making the decision to come out has changed many lives for the better. Those who have chosen to come out speak of lower rates of stress, depression and risk of suicide, improved health, higher productivity and overall well-being. Medical research and employer feedback supports these observations. Moreover every individual who comes out helps to create a more honest and open environment where younger generations gain a greater sense of belonging and acceptance.
