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10 Years of Tainan's Pink Dot: NCKU Hopes to Create a Diverse and Gender-Friendly Campus for Students
The 10th Tainan Pink Dot event, themed "Embrace Diversity: Exploring the Body," took place today (May 19) at the open space in front of the Activity Center Gallery at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Kuang-Fu Campus. Many students participated in the event by wearing pink clothing. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pink Dot, with a focus on understanding one's body, experiencing different life postures, and exploring issues related to self-gender identity and sexual orientation.
In his speech, NCKU Vice President Woei-Jer Chuang emphasized the importance of gender equality, particularly in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10, which aims to reduce inequalities. He highlighted the university's efforts to promote inclusivity and sustainability, aiming to ensure that everyone is treated equally regardless of their gender. Chuang expressed hope that through various activities and clubs, more people would become aware of gender issues. He also mentioned that all six campuses have gender-friendly restrooms, expressing the aspiration that one day, "the world will be one" without discrimination.
Carol Strong, Associate Professor at the Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine, and advisor to the NCKU gender-friendly club TO．Lacquer Society, expressed delight at seeing many students who have participated in Pink Dot returning to the campus. She noted the warm and welcoming environment at NCKU and highlighted collaborations with the Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, including a week-long lecture series and exhibition in Taipei. Additionally, an exhibition titled "Seeing Transgender Art and Literature" was held at the NCKU Library to promote gender equality awareness in the Tainan area and combat stigma and prejudice against diverse gender groups.
E-Jing Wu, Manager of the Gender Equality Education Committee at NCKU Student Affairs Office, reflected on the challenges faced by the Tainan Pink Dot event since its inception in 2014, acknowledging instances of posters being torn down and receiving malicious comments. However, through the efforts of the Lacquer Society and the entire school community, NCKU has become a campus that is free and gender-friendly. Wu emphasized the importance of understanding different gender groups to build a society that is friendly to diversity.
The event also featured Lin Ming, a fifth-year student in the Department of Chemistry, who shared stories about gender diversity. Lin, who lives in a male dormitory, spoke about his positive experiences at NCKU, where he felt accepted and integrated into campus life. He highlighted the importance of gender-friendly restrooms and the guidance provided by gender equality teachers. Despite societal challenges, Lin believes that support for diversity is growing.
Drag queen "International Queen" Bai Bai, who attended the event on behalf of the Sunshine Queer Center, expressed the importance of promoting understanding of drag art. A documentary related to drag queens, titled "Ruiqi," is scheduled to be released at the end of May, aiming to provide a space for discussion and communication among different groups. Pink Dot has been exploring various gender issues for over a decade, aiming to promote gender equality awareness in the Tainan area and eliminate stigma and prejudice against diverse gender groups.
In his speech, NCKU Vice President Woei-Jer Chuang emphasized the importance of gender equality, particularly in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10, which aims to reduce inequalities. He highlighted the university's efforts to promote inclusivity and sustainability, aiming to ensure that everyone is treated equally regardless of their gender. Chuang expressed hope that through various activities and clubs, more people would become aware of gender issues. He also mentioned that all six campuses have gender-friendly restrooms, expressing the aspiration that one day, "the world will be one" without discrimination.
Carol Strong, Associate Professor at the Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine, and advisor to the NCKU gender-friendly club TO．Lacquer Society, expressed delight at seeing many students who have participated in Pink Dot returning to the campus. She noted the warm and welcoming environment at NCKU and highlighted collaborations with the Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, including a week-long lecture series and exhibition in Taipei. Additionally, an exhibition titled "Seeing Transgender Art and Literature" was held at the NCKU Library to promote gender equality awareness in the Tainan area and combat stigma and prejudice against diverse gender groups.
E-Jing Wu, Manager of the Gender Equality Education Committee at NCKU Student Affairs Office, reflected on the challenges faced by the Tainan Pink Dot event since its inception in 2014, acknowledging instances of posters being torn down and receiving malicious comments. However, through the efforts of the Lacquer Society and the entire school community, NCKU has become a campus that is free and gender-friendly. Wu emphasized the importance of understanding different gender groups to build a society that is friendly to diversity.
The event also featured Lin Ming, a fifth-year student in the Department of Chemistry, who shared stories about gender diversity. Lin, who lives in a male dormitory, spoke about his positive experiences at NCKU, where he felt accepted and integrated into campus life. He highlighted the importance of gender-friendly restrooms and the guidance provided by gender equality teachers. Despite societal challenges, Lin believes that support for diversity is growing.
Drag queen "International Queen" Bai Bai, who attended the event on behalf of the Sunshine Queer Center, expressed the importance of promoting understanding of drag art. A documentary related to drag queens, titled "Ruiqi," is scheduled to be released at the end of May, aiming to provide a space for discussion and communication among different groups. Pink Dot has been exploring various gender issues for over a decade, aiming to promote gender equality awareness in the Tainan area and eliminate stigma and prejudice against diverse gender groups.
The 10th Tainan Pink Dot event, in response to the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, took place in front of the gallery space at NCKU's Kuang-Fu Campus Activity Center. Teachers and students participated by wearing pink attire.
Vice President of NCKU, Woei-Jer Chuang, stated in his address that gender equality is an integral focus for the university.
NCKU Gender-Friendly Club TO．La Cool Society's advisor, Associate Professor Carol Strong, expressed her delight in seeing many students who have participated in Pink Dot return to the school.
25-year-old Ah Yin from Hong Kong (right) and his partner LEO shared their coming out and marriage journey.
International drag queen Bai Bai Deng (center) represented the Sunshine Queer Center at the Tainan Pink Dot event, hoping to raise awareness about the essence of drag art among more people.
Ah Yin, who hails from Hong Kong, shared his story of international same-sex marriage through his self-created Hong Kong culinary-themed creative products.
