Taiwan has been an amazingly safe, welcoming, inclusive, and kind environment from my perspective as an American born individual foreign to the region and world traveling as a whole. I am unimaginably grateful that Taiwan was the first country I had the privilege to travel to due to its deep and inclusive history with the LGBT+ community. Not having to worry about being actively discriminated against due to my gender identity as a trans person has been a mental and physical relief. While I do have to explain to some people how I want to be percieved and discuss with them my pronouns it hasn’t been a hassle for me, and I am personally very open about those discussions. Occasionally I am also met with curiosity in regard to the trans community and how best to respect us, more questions I am always happy to answer. Typically, these dialogues happen with fellow students, friends, and peers. In regard to my day to day, I have never gotten approached or harassed with questions of my peculiar, extremely feminine apperance, despite having a body that easily encourages people to perceive me as a man. I have also not been denied any form of service or entry to any establishment I have visited and was thrilled to actually see that nearly all of the many clothing stores’ I have visited thus far had employees that were not discouraging me to shop for feminine clothes or confused by the prospect of my extremely feminine nature. The trans acceptance in Taiwan has been phenomenal whether it is from their lack of a desire to bother caring or their genuine acceptance of trans people I cannot say. However, given that trans people in America are far too often assaulted, abused, harassed, or murdered for simply existing I much prefer the former over the latter.
With all of that being said there are still a few discomforts. The main one is being stared at. a lot, whether it is out of curiosity or hostility I again cannot say, but it is most likely because I am trans or I am Black, or that I am both. My current theory is unfortunately my race and ethnicity cause more of an uproar, whether negative or “positive” then my gender identity here in Taichung. While Taipei apparently has a larger Caribbean presence, Taichung is extremely lacking in people of afro descent thus causing a lack of representation and potential discomfort for those who are here. While the discomfort generally lies in deep, sometimes mildly aggressive staring, I have had the misfortune of enduring acts that fall more towards the realm of micro aggressive behavior. Being an African American with thick, kinky, 4c hair, and often sporting an afro or another unique African hairstyle, I am often given attention, but sometimes it is unwanted. Seeing my hair and admiring it, wanting to compliment me, and potentially asking me about my hairstyle in a respectful manner are all acts that I can appreciate. Thinking my hair is an interesting and unique toy or object to touch and grab is something I strongly hate and condemn people for doing. On multiple occasion while clubbing I was forced to endure a variety of primarily Taiwanese men, but some women, touch, grope, and play with my hair without my permission. Not only does it feel invasive and disrespectful, but it also evokes the idea for me that to them I am an object or a pet to be played with. The unwillingness to even ask and assume they had the right to invade my personal space was beyond disrespectful, however being that I was in a club environment it was hard to defend myself and tell them out over the insanely loud music and crowds of people.
Being Black and trans in this world requires me to be extremely vigilant of my surroundings, be mentally prepared for the possibility of me being disrespected due to my racial or gender identity and be physically ready to defend myself from those who may try to harm or assault me. Traveling to Taiwan is a decision I do not regret, and it definitely has proven to be a very safe environment in comparison to numerous places in America I have both visited and lived in. However, that does not mean travelers like me will not experience acts of discrimination or racism. While typically they were not aggressive, hostile, or physical, they were still extremely inappropriate and invasive. Even the vicious and sometime malicious stares that make you think they are questioning your entire existence can be mentally and emotionally draining. I do not write this as a means to deter or discourage other people of my community to travel to Taiwan. I do so in order to educate them about the reality of traveling while Black, or in my case trans and Black. It can often be frustrating but knowing what you’re getting into can allow you to do more physical or mental preparations. Ultimately, this experience has been an amazing trip of a lifetime but the struggle I have endured is real and will continue to be present as I continue my dream of traveling all over the world.