9 hrs ago
Taipei Mayor Defends Inclusivity After Gay Bar Raid
Police raided a gay bar in Taipei on Saturday.
They questioned 51 people and arrested the bar’s owner.
Police said they were checking a complaint about possible violations of public decency laws.
A video from the raid showed an officer asking a wheelchair user an inappropriate question.
Police said they disciplined officers for inappropriate conduct, but did not give details.
Rights groups said the incident was part of a bigger problem of discrimination.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said he regretted the officers’ conduct and that the city should protect everyone equally.
His election opponent, Puma Shen, also said people’s rights and dignity should be respected.
Police raided Commander D in Taipei’s Ximen district on Saturday, taking 51 people in for questioning and arresting the bar’s owner.
Police cited a complaint alleging the bar might be violating public decency laws; the operation was one of three involving gay bars in Ximen that day.
A video circulating online showed an officer asking a wheelchair user how disabled people “manage to have sex” in a toilet.
Police said they disciplined officers for inappropriate conduct, while rights groups said the raid reflected deeper, longstanding discrimination and abuse of power.
Mayor Chiang Wan-an said he regretted improper police conduct and defended Taipei as inclusive; mayoral rival Puma Shen also called for respect for people’s rights and dignity.
- Who
- Taipei police, Mayor Chiang Wan-an, mayoral candidate Puma Shen, the bar’s owner, and people questioned in the raid.
- What
- Police raided Commander D, questioned 51 people, and arrested the owner; the operation drew protests and criticism over alleged discrimination and police conduct.
- Where
- Commander D in Ximen, Taipei, Taiwan.
- When
- The raid took place on Saturday; Chiang and Shen commented on Monday, October 5.
- Why
- Police cited a complaint alleging the bar might be violating public decency laws.
Rights groups and critics
Police and city officials
Meaning of the raid
Rights groups and critics
Rights groups said the raid reflected longstanding homophobia, discrimination, and abuse of power within police enforcement, rather than an isolated incident.
Police and city officials
Police said the operation followed a complaint about possible public decency law violations and that officers had found evidence of sexual or obscene conduct, though they could not immediately identify who was involved.
Treatment of people questioned
Rights groups and critics
A person questioned said they were held for more than six hours and told they had broken the law by being shirtless; they said they had removed their shirt because the bar was hot and crowded.
Police and city officials
The lead investigator said police were inclined not to fine the 51 people because officers could not immediately determine who was involved in the suspected conduct.
Accountability and inclusion
Rights groups and critics
Rights groups condemned the raid, and Puma Shen said Taipei’s diversity and inclusivity should be evident beyond Pride events and that people’s rights and dignity must be respected.
Police and city officials
Mayor Chiang Wan-an said he deeply regretted improper police conduct, and police said they had taken disciplinary action against officers.
Key facts
- Venue
- Commander D, a gay bar in Taipei’s Ximen district
- People questioned
- 51
- Arrest
- The bar’s owner was arrested
- Police explanation
- The raid followed a complaint alleging possible public decency law violations
- Other operations
- Police said Saturday’s raid was one of three operations involving Ximen gay bars
- Police response
- Police said officers faced disciplinary action for inappropriate conduct
- Political context
- Chiang Wan-an was seeking reelection the following month in a close race against Puma Shen
Quotes
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an
Mayor of Taipei and reelection candidate
“Taipei’s diversity and inclusivity should not only be visible on Pride parade day.”
theprint.in
“Taipei has always been an inclusive and friendly city for us.”
theprint.in
Person questioned in the raid
An anonymous person questioned during the police operation
“I trusted the police to know the law. So when they told me I had broken the law by not wearing a shirt in a public place and had to pay a fine, I did not challenge them.”
theprint.in
Sources
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