Taipei police raid on LGBTQ+ venue

On October 3, Taipei police raided Commander D, a BDSM-themed gay bar in the Wanhua district, citing suspected violations of the Social Order Maintenance Act regarding “wantonly exposing one’s naked body or presenting a lascivious posture in a public place or publicly accessible place”. The operation resulted in the arrest of the bar owner and the detention of 51 patrons for questioning.

The raid triggered significant backlash from the LGBTQ+ community and human rights organizations. Protesters, numbering between 100 and 1,000, accused officers of procedural irregularities and abusive conduct, including refusing to show search warrants, forcing patrons to squat, and restricting mobile phone use. Witnesses and recordings also suggested officers made derogatory and discriminatory remarks toward patrons, including comments directed at individuals with disabilities.

Ten advocacy groups issued a joint statement demanding an independent investigation and the establishment of enforcement guidelines for gender-friendly venues. Following an internal review of body camera footage, the Wanhua Precinct confirmed that four officers received reprimands for inappropriate language, while the investigating team leader and precinct chief also faced disciplinary action. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an expressed regret and issued an apology, ordering a strict review of the police department’s actions.