![Rich Vaughn IFLG: Family Building Hot Topic at Taiwan Pride 2019](https://www.iflg.net/wp-content/uploads/Rich-Vaughn-IFLG-Taiwan-Pride-2019-WEB.png)
18 Oct 2019 Family Building with ART Is Hot Topic at Taiwan LGBT Pride 2019
To all my friends and colleagues in Taiwan, Happy Pride 2019! I will be there soon to celebrate with you and to participate, along with the organization Taiwan LGBT Family Rights Advocacy, in Taiwan Pride 2019, October 25 through October 27 in Taipei.
In May 2019, Taiwan made history by becoming the first Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Following that, the Taiwan LGBT Family Rights Advocacy organization (TLFRA) invited International Fertility Law Group (IFLG) and a group of colleagues, including fertility specialist Dr. Sandy Chuan of the San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC) to participate in an educational family-building seminar for LGBT individuals the day before Taiwan Pride. SDFC and IFLG also will host a booth at the Taiwan Pride Festival at Taipei City Hall.
As I wrote of another trip to Asia a couple of years ago, in many parts of the world, where ideas such as same-sex marriage, LGBTQ equality and assisted reproduction are still relatively new and unproven, there is a true hunger for information. Even in countries such as Thailand, which banned surrogacy in 2014 following an international scandal, LGBT couples and their families are eager to learn how assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization, egg donation, embryo freezing and surrogacy work and the promise they offer for LGBT, infertile or single people who dream of becoming parents someday. I’ll be kicking off this year’s trip, joined by Dr. Said Daneshmand of SDFC, with seminar presentations in Tokyo and Bangkok, Thailand, then joining Dr. Chuan in Hong Kong before we arrive next week at Taiwan Pride.
It will be a trip to remember. As a citizen of a country and state where assisted reproduction is licensed and regulated, where the most advanced technologies are available, and the highest standards of practice prevail, and where my husband and I have experienced the joy of parenthood as a result of those advantages, it is an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with others eager to learn.
Stay tuned for more news from Taiwan Pride 2019!