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China: Pet Leopard Gecko Nibbles Shed Skin

A video from December 3, 2025, in Guangdong, China, shows a pet leopard gecko calmly eating its shed skin after a routine molt. The gecko gently tugged at the thin, translucent layer with quick bites, revealing brighter, fresh scales beneath. Leopard geckos typically shed every two to four weeks, and the video ends with the reptile finishing the last piece before settling down with its newly vibrant skin.

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UN-backed school lights path of hope for vulnerable refugee girls in Kenya

STORY: UN-backed school lights path of hope for vulnerable refugee girls in Kenya SHOOTING TIME: June 18, 2024 DATELINE: June 20, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:45 LOCATION: TURKANA, Kenya CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of women refugee in Kakuma Refugee Camp 2. various of Lifeworks Tumaini Girls Secondary School 3. various of girls in class 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): IRAGI AKILIMALI, Refugee from DRC 3. various of the principal 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOSEPHINE NGUTA, Principal of Lifeworks Tumaini Girls Secondary School STORYLINE: For Iragi Akilimali, living in one of the largest refugee camps in Kenya has not diminished her dreams of becoming a doctor, a feat many of her peers would consider difficult. The 18-year-old student of Lifeworks Tumaini Girls Secondary School fled war in her native Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with her family in 2016 in search of a brighter future in Kenya and ended up at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya's northwestern county of Turkana. The sprawling refugee camp,

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SOUTH KOREA-SEOUL-INT'L FORUM FOR TRILATERAL COOPERATION

(240618) -- SEOUL, June 18, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Secretary-General Lee Hee-sup addresses the opening of the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2024 held in Seoul, South Korea, June 18, 2024. Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2024 on Tuesday here in Seoul, under the theme "25th Anniversary of Trilateral Cooperation: Institutionalizing Collaboration and Promoting Exchanges for a Brighter Future". Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

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SOUTH KOREA-SEOUL-INT'L FORUM FOR TRILATERAL COOPERATION

(240618) -- SEOUL, June 18, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Guests participate in the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2024 held in Seoul, South Korea, June 18, 2024. Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2024 on Tuesday here in Seoul, under the theme "25th Anniversary of Trilateral Cooperation: Institutionalizing Collaboration and Promoting Exchanges for a Brighter Future". Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

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SOUTH KOREA-SEOUL-INT'L FORUM FOR TRILATERAL COOPERATION

(240618) -- SEOUL, June 18, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Guests participate in the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2024 held in Seoul, South Korea, June 18, 2024. Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2024 on Tuesday here in Seoul, under the theme "25th Anniversary of Trilateral Cooperation: Institutionalizing Collaboration and Promoting Exchanges for a Brighter Future". (Xinhua)

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SOUTH KOREA-SEOUL-INT'L FORUM FOR TRILATERAL COOPERATION

(240618) -- SEOUL, June 18, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Secretary-General Lee Hee-sup addresses the opening of the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2024 held in Seoul, South Korea, June 18, 2024. Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2024 on Tuesday here in Seoul, under the theme "25th Anniversary of Trilateral Cooperation: Institutionalizing Collaboration and Promoting Exchanges for a Brighter Future". (Xinhua)

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UGANDA-KAMPALA-CHINESE BRIDGE-COMPETITION

(240604) -- KAMPALA, June 4, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Hilda Ayebare, assistant curriculum specialist for foreign languages at the Uganda National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC), speaks during the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Kampala, Uganda, June 2, 2024. The Ugandan finals of "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition concluded on Sunday at Kyambogo College School in Kampala. During the final round, 12 students competed in the college and secondary school categories, demonstrating their Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture through speeches, quizzes, and cultural performances. TO GO WITH "Ugandan students encouraged to learn Chinese language for brighter career prospects" (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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UGANDA-KAMPALA-CHINESE BRIDGE-COMPETITION

(240604) -- KAMPALA, June 4, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A student shows Kung Fu skills during the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Kampala, Uganda, June 2, 2024. The Ugandan finals of "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition concluded on Sunday at Kyambogo College School in Kampala. During the final round, 12 students competed in the college and secondary school categories, demonstrating their Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture through speeches, quizzes, and cultural performances. TO GO WITH "Ugandan students encouraged to learn Chinese language for brighter career prospects" (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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UGANDA-KAMPALA-CHINESE BRIDGE-COMPETITION

(240604) -- KAMPALA, June 4, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A student plays guzheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, during the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Kampala, Uganda, June 2, 2024. The Ugandan finals of "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition concluded on Sunday at Kyambogo College School in Kampala. During the final round, 12 students competed in the college and secondary school categories, demonstrating their Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture through speeches, quizzes, and cultural performances. TO GO WITH "Ugandan students encouraged to learn Chinese language for brighter career prospects" (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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UGANDA-KAMPALA-CHINESE BRIDGE-COMPETITION

(240604) -- KAMPALA, June 4, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A student shows Kung Fu skills during the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Kampala, Uganda, June 2, 2024. The Ugandan finals of "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition concluded on Sunday at Kyambogo College School in Kampala. During the final round, 12 students competed in the college and secondary school categories, demonstrating their Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture through speeches, quizzes, and cultural performances. TO GO WITH "Ugandan students encouraged to learn Chinese language for brighter career prospects" (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

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UGANDA-KAMPALA-CHINESE BRIDGE-COMPETITION

(240604) -- KAMPALA, June 4, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Hilda Ayebare, assistant curriculum specialist for foreign languages at the Uganda National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC), speaks during the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Kampala, Uganda, June 2, 2024. The Ugandan finals of "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition concluded on Sunday at Kyambogo College School in Kampala. During the final round, 12 students competed in the college and secondary school categories, demonstrating their Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture through speeches, quizzes, and cultural performances. TO GO WITH "Ugandan students encouraged to learn Chinese language for brighter career prospects" (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

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UGANDA-KAMPALA-CHINESE BRIDGE-COMPETITION

(240604) -- KAMPALA, June 4, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A student plays guzheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, during the "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition in Kampala, Uganda, June 2, 2024. The Ugandan finals of "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency competition concluded on Sunday at Kyambogo College School in Kampala. During the final round, 12 students competed in the college and secondary school categories, demonstrating their Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture through speeches, quizzes, and cultural performances. TO GO WITH "Ugandan students encouraged to learn Chinese language for brighter career prospects" (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

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CAMEROON-BUEA-CHINESE LANGUAGE EDUCATION

(240420) -- YAOUNDE, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Sema gives a Chinese language class at the University of Buea in southwestern Cameroon, April 18, 2024. TO GO WITH "Feature: Cameroonians embrace Chinese language for brighter futures" (Xinhua/Muleng Timngum)

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CAMEROON-BUEA-CHINESE LANGUAGE EDUCATION

(240420) -- YAOUNDE, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Sema gives a Chinese language class at the University of Buea in southwestern Cameroon, April 18, 2024. TO GO WITH "Feature: Cameroonians embrace Chinese language for brighter futures" (Xinhua/Muleng Timngum)

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CAMEROON-BUEA-CHINESE LANGUAGE EDUCATION

(240420) -- YAOUNDE, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Sema gives a Chinese language class at the University of Buea in southwestern Cameroon, April 18, 2024. TO GO WITH "Feature: Cameroonians embrace Chinese language for brighter futures" (Xinhua/Muleng Timngum)

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A Brighter Summer Day

Dan Yao posing with a traditional dress in her one room flat, Taichung, Taiwan, 2019 Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Dan Yao doing their make up routine at home in Taichung, Taiwan, 2019. Dan Yao lives in a one room apartment in Taichung, a big city on the west coast. They make jewelry and are a make up artist in their spare time. We first met in Miaoli, one of the most conservative region in Taiwan, as the city was holding its first gay pride. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Aiko resting in her bedroom in the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic in New Taipei City, Taiwan, March 2020 Aiko has never been in a romantic relationship. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Chi Chia Wei, Taiwan’s most famous LGBTQIA+ activist, Taipei, Taiwan, 2019 Chi Chia Wei is the first man in Taiwan who publicly came out as gay thirty years ago on national television, during a press conference announcing both his sexuality and his campaign for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. He started to fight for marriage equality when he was 28. ‘I am Chi Chia Wei, born in Taipei. From my family to school, and after leaving campus, I’ve never been treated badly due to my sexual orientation. This special background allows me to learn many things, and fight for the LGBTQ rights in Taiwan. I think it must be fate. In my teenager period, my family tried to teach us how to break the traditional rules. I came out when I was 17 years old, no one in the school was against me. I became an activist in 1986. The society in 80s in Taipei was not worse than other countries, but also not really friendly; it was basically the same everywhere in the world. However, I was the first person to discuss same sex marriage here, an

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A Brighter Summer Day

Kuang Ting and Cheng Huei on one of their rare times off together, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 ‘Gay men in Taiwan think that manly gay men are more popular because when we were young we were told that we should be manly, don’t act like a girl! So when we grow up we want to find someone very masculine to compensate the lack of masculinity we should have. When I see straight guys playing basketball for example, even now I still wish I could be more like them. These big muscly American guys, competitive, real men. But what is a real man? I still need to learn how to break this stereotype, but this is a life long challenge.’ Kuang Ting Kuang Ting (right) and Cheng Huei have been together for nine years. Cheng Huei was exhausted on their day off as he works long hours. He is in the army and doesn’t feel safe to come out with his coworkers. Kuang Ting works as a part time English teacher. Cheng Huei only came out to his parents officially because he wanted to get married. He literally came out to his family the d

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A Brighter Summer Day

'Be Brave! Never be scared to love, so that you can be a good person.' Yellow Yellow and Menu Ma (right) have been together for nearly three years. They started to chat on a lesbian app and had a lot in common, especially theatre. It took a while for Menu's mother to accept the fact that her daughter was a lesbian as Menu's brother is also gay. Her first reaction when Menu came out was to ask why her kids were monsters. Since then she has come a long way and she really likes Yellow now. Traditionally, kids in Taiwan will express their feelings with their mothers, not their father who still holds the role of the strict family figure. As a result, a lot of young adults only come out to their mother. A gay friend of Menu comes to the family house often and her dad, thinking he’s straight, hopes that eventually he will marry his daughter. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Dan Yao wearing one of their favorite dress on their building’s rooftop in Taichung, Taiwan, in 2019. Dan Yao started to wear make up, dress and high heels at school. They feel lucky that they didn’t get bullied. They pretended to be super confident so no one would bother them. Instead, their classmates respected them and some got inspired by their courage to come out of the closet. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Dan Yao posing in a traditional dress in their one room apartment, Taichung, Taiwan, 2019 « I think I’m meant to break the rules, these gender roles. I hate people saying that boys should do this or women should wear that. These boxes are all made by us, humans, so humans can break these rules too! I still care a bit about what people think so I don’t want to look cheap. I want to look elegant, to be beautiful. I want people to think he/she/they is beautiful and I want them to forget if I am a boy or a girl. » Dan Yao Dan Yao lives in Taichung, a big city on the west coast. They make jewelry and are a make up artist in their spare time. They started to wear heels, dress and make up when they were still in school. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Wei Yi and Jay in the morning, Taipei, Taiwan, 2019 ‘Always trust yourself, and help others. The broken pieces will turn into courage. Be kind.’ Wëi Yi Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Shih Han on the roof top of the building where his family lives, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 ‘I feel very proud that Taiwan just became the first Asian country to legalize same sex marriage, and I really believe it’s just the first step. Now we have to let more and more people know that we have the same rights as heterosexual people. Education is the priority. I get discriminated by gay men because of this expectation that we should be muscular with short hair, as to compensate for something. I’m sick of this. Some patriarcal gay men asked me why I had long hair, thinking I was giving gay men a bad name by looking different. They think it’s adding an extra layer of misunderstanding for the society. They believe I’m not a good gay man. But why should I follow the rules? I just want to be myself.’ Shih Han Shih Han is a performing artist. He lives with his family in New Taipei City. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Chen and Dean chilling with their dogs on their day off, Taichung, Taiwan, 2019 ‘Once my parents asked me why I either seldom went home when I was off, or I only took man home. I told them, ‘This is it, he’s my partner. If you accept it, you will have one more son; if you don’t, you will lose two.’ In my opinion, homosexuality is normal, but they were probably worried about how society perceived us, or that it might affect my career. I told them that I was out since junior high school, and I was also out in the military. The officers even asked me to consult other gay people, they thought I knew better than them; they asked me to bridge.’ Chen Chen (left) and Dean met each other on Facebook through friends of friends. They opened a tea shop that they built and run together in Taichung. They also own a mobile phone shop in the same building, and have their bedroom on the top floor. They got married on the 18th May, the day after same sex marriage got legalized in Taiwan. It got a lot of attention from the med

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A Brighter Summer Day

Ryan cutting Tang Tang’s hair before going to work, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 'You will meet someone who will change your life when you are 25. Be patient, and take much care of him! Don’t take things the way I did; all the sadness and horrible things you have encountered are to make yourself a better person now. Believe in yourself, be brave, then you will have a fairytale-like happy ending.' Tang Tang Tang Tang (left) and Ryan met at the KTV for a karaoke with their co-workers. That night Ryan had not wanted to go out, he had just lost his mother and was very depressed. Dragged there by his colleagues, he spent the evening crying in a corner, with Tang Tang trying to make him feel better. They have been together for 4 years now and they recently flew to Las Vegas to get married as it remained illegal in Taiwan. They respectively work as actor and hair dresser, and have to hide their relationship in order to keep certain costumers. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Tang Tang and Ryan's wedding rings, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019. These rings have been given by Tang Tang’s family to bless their union. Ryan : 'This year, we couldn’t wait anymore so we got married in Las Vegas. I was already out with my siblings but I called my extended family to tell them the news. But the aunt I’m the closest with and who helped raising me, my god mother, said 'This does not align with our traditions. How? How could I accept it?' I was really sad because all the other aunts were supportive, even my uncles, but not her. Maybe because I wasn’t expecting it, thinking that she would support me no matter what. But we got married nonetheless, just without her blessing. Later on Tang Tang came back first and brought something to her. When he did that, she congratulated us. So eventually, everyone accepted. And I am like, hey, I’m actually really lucky.' Ryan Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Monlagine posing on her sofa, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 ‘My parents didn’t know I’m gay. I’m a good actor! Be brave in life to make your own decisions. Fall in love with your courage. Be yourself and don’t regret what you have done.’ Monlagine/Johnny Johnny was one of the first drag queen in Taiwan. Costume designer by day, he makes his own clothes and tell stories to children while in drag. He sometimes faces aggressive behavior from the parents. When he's in drag he becomes Monlagine. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Chen posing in his bedroom with his dog and stuffed toys in Taichung, Taiwan, 2019 Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Po Cheng in his one room apartment, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 Po Cheng is 29 years old activist for LGBTQIA+ rights. He grew up in Miaoli, a more conservative part of Taiwan. He tried to come out to his mother when he was twelve but she asked him if he needed to see a doctor, being considered as sick. As a child, his parents would not prevent him to do things considered girly, but his mother would tell him ‘you can do girly things but you can’t be gay’. ‘I tried to laugh about it. People in Miaoli are not exposed to LGBTQIA+ community, so it’s very new to them.Then we didn’t talk about it for many years. When I was twenty I talked to my family again. I told my mother and two sisters that I liked boys. But I didn’t dare to come out to my father. Surprisingly my mother told him and he just said that it was ok. But still my grandparents don’t know, because my parents refuse to talk to them. As we say I came out but my parents are still in the closet. Everyone says it’s open for gay people in Taiwan. But just

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A Brighter Summer Day

Li Ting and Jaeden having breakfast at Jaeden's mother's place in New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Wëi Yi and Jay in Ximending, a LGBTQIA+ friendly area in Taipei. Wëi Yi (right) and Jay met on Grinder, an app for gay men. They were chatting on internet for a month before meeting. They’ve been together for 7 months. Wëi Yi is a fashion designer for men clothing, and still lives with his parents. Jay is a theatre actor and writer and recently moved into a shared apartment. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Aiko posing in her bedroom with her favorite stuffed animal, a unicorn, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 « Being alive is a revenge in itself towards this hateful world. Be smarter, read more books so you can live a better life. Keep your romantic thoughts ; it will never be enough, especially when you’re getting older. You can think of killing yourself a hundred, even a thousand times, but if you are dead, you then lose the chance to love and to hate. So I would say cheers anyways. » Aiko Aiko is a 23 year old transgender woman from Nantou, a small town in the center of Taiwan. She now lives in Taipei where she just finished studying fashion design. She chose the name Aiko because she is greatly influenced by Japanese Kawai and Manga culture. Aiko's family is accepting of her trans identity, her mum even jokes around with the neighbors in her hometown saying that she had three boys but that now she has two sons and a daughter. Even though her family supports Aiko to be herself, it's still complicated for trans

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A Brighter Summer Day

A Brighter Summer Day tells intimate stories from the LGBTQIA+ community in Taiwan in the period leading to the legalization of same sex marriage and its aftermath. In 2017, the Taiwanese government declared it unconstitutional to exclude same sex couples from marriage giving Taiwan two years to vote for the bill and dividing the country. 7 millions people voted against. On the 17th of May 2019, same sex marriage was legalized, Taiwan becoming the first country in Asia to do so. Nevertheless inequality continues regarding adoption or marrying a foreign person, to name a few of the remaining issues. Stigma and stereotypes are still attached to same sex relationships, even more so regarding gender issues. Gender diverse people’s existence is often hidden as gender binaries are strongly enforced and people who exist outside of this binary system are rejected or made invisible. Even within the queer scene, the stereotypical representations of masculinity and femininity are prevalent. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle E

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A Brighter Summer Day

Crown and Carole at home, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 ‘Even my mum told me that it’s not that she doesn’t support me having a family, it’s more that she thinks if we have this whole gay marriage legalization there are going to be more gay people in the society. That’s not true. It’s that now gay people are more visible, now you are hearing from them. Before they were hiding their identity within the society. This is a weird time. I didn’t think I would be able to get married or to have kids here in Taiwan. But now that this little window is open and you see the possibility that this might be able to be changed and have hope and people try to stop it, you get really angry. We had a vote before and there was 7 million votes against the legalization of same sex marriage so it doesn’t look good. Older people are being told that if we let ‘homos’ get married it’s going to ruin heterosexual’s rights to get married and that people are going to marry their dogs and their kids will become gays.’ Carole Crown works i

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A Brighter Summer Day

Photographs of Jaeden as a child diplayed in their mother's flat. New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Menu Ma and Yellow having a nap after lunch, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Wëi Yi (left) and Jay having a drink in a gay bar in Ximending, a LGBTQIA+ friendly area in Taipei, Taiwan, 2019. ‘Before high school I had to avoid showing my true colors regarding my sexual orientation. Before I step into art school, I had to pretend to be a straight man. I think our education doesn’t include embracing who you are, and your classmates don’t understand what it means to be gay. So it was pretty tough when I was a student.’ Jay Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Darice at the arcade, Taipei, Taiwan, 2019. ‘I hope that anyone who reads my story or sees this project gets more confidence to be themselves. I’ve just turned thirty and I’m realizing more who I am now so I hope no matter your age, your gender or your orientation you can find yourself and be comfortable with it. Because even if you don’t know anyone like you, right now there is a lot of us out there.’ Darice Darice is Taiwanese American and identify as non binary, which means they don't identify as male or female. Growing up they were quite a tomboy and thought that one day they would grow to become a bearded old man, but that never happened. They learned how to perform femininity as a skill and trained for beauty pageants in America where their family moved. They learned how to wear make up, how to walk. We met at their favorite place, an arcade in Gonguan, the student area, where they go to play a dancing game when they can't sleep at night. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Wëi Yi and Jay kissing in Jay's apartment, Taipei, Taiwan, 2019 ‘I think gender stereotypes are also very strong in the gay community. Taiwanese gay men don’t have their own culture, so they’re appropriating the western gay culture but without the drag aspect. Drag culture just appeared about five years ago, and before that it was just about masculinity. Men feel like they need to be stocky or have bodies like western men to be acceptable. In Taiwan, we only have the history of fighting and resisting but we don’t have the history of defining ourselves, or defining our own culture. Also the government tends to erase gay culture and art. So we don’t have our own gay history, we don’t have a path to follow our culture and identity, so we copy from the western world. And Taiwan has been colonized by many countries, by Japan, China and Spain. So we tend to change ourselves, to adapt very quickly. There’s been many changes in the past years.’ Jay Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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A Brighter Summer Day

Li Ting (right) and Jaeden after breakfast, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 'Trans and non binary visibility is so crucial because that’s how I got to be able to be like this with such comfort and love for my trans, queer and Asian body. Even though I want to have top surgery it doesn’t change the fact that I love my body so much. I love that it goes through all these traumas for me. And without visibility I would be so confused and frustrated. Getting to know other trans and non binary people gave me the ability to know what’s going on and have the capacity to love it. It’s very big for me personally.' Jaeden When I first met them, Li Ting and Jaeden (left) had only been together for a month. Li Ting is originally from Singapore and moved to Taiwan seven months ago. She is a playwriter. Jaeden is from Taipei and identifies as trans and non binary. As an English translator they were able to find a lot of ressources on internet to reflect upon their identity, which are not really available in Mandarin. Photo by

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A Brighter Summer Day

Maggie and Ching Yun in their bedroom, New Taipei City, Taiwan, 2019 ‘Those days when you were crying are not the doomsday. You have to believe you can live the way you like, can be in a healthy relationship. Thank you very much for your courage.’ Maggie Maggie (right) and Ching Yun have been together for two years, and moved together almost right after they met. Maggie works in the movie industry and is from Taichung. She had a girlfriend there and her family was shocked about it. Everybody got hurt. So Maggie left for Taipei, the big city, to be able to be herself. There’s a big gap between the Taipei bubble and other cities in Taiwan. She’s still in contact with her family but they never talked about her sexual orientation again. Even if Ching Yun looks boyish, her family still expects her to marry a man. They think her and Maggie are flatmates. Her mother doesn’t know but during the referendum about same sex marriage Chin Yun tried to persuade her to vote yes. She’s been waiting for the right timing to co

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A Brighter Summer Day

Tang Tang (right) and Ryan have been together for 4 years and flew to Las Vegas to get married as it remained illegal in Taiwan. They respectively work as actor and hair dresser, and have to hide their relationship in order to keep certain costumers. Ryan lost his mother shortly before he met Tang Tang, and never took the chance to tell her about his sexual orientation, even though she kept asking him and reassuring it would be ok if he was gay. But after he started dating Tang Tang he dreamt that his mother came to eat with him and gave him her blessings for their relationship. Photo by Su Cassiano/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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CHINA-GUANGZHOU-WORLD MEDIA SUMMIT-PARALLEL SESSIONS (CN)

(231204) -- GUANGZHOU, Dec. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tamas Kovacs, CEO of ATV ZRT, speaks during a parallel session during the 5th World Media Summit in Nansha District of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 4, 2023. The summit attracted more than 450 representatives of nearly 200 institutions from over 100 countries and regions, including media outlets, think tanks and international organizations. Focusing on the summit's theme of "Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development," attendees took part in extensive discussions to contribute media power to the construction of a brighter future. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

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CHINA-GUANGZHOU-WORLD MEDIA SUMMIT-PARALLEL SESSIONS (CN)

(231204) -- GUANGZHOU, Dec. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A delegate speaks during a parallel session during the 5th World Media Summit in Nansha District of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 4, 2023. The summit attracted more than 450 representatives of nearly 200 institutions from over 100 countries and regions, including media outlets, think tanks and international organizations. Focusing on the summit's theme of "Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development," attendees took part in extensive discussions to contribute media power to the construction of a brighter future. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

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CHINA-GUANGZHOU-WORLD MEDIA SUMMIT-PARALLEL SESSIONS (CN)

(231204) -- GUANGZHOU, Dec. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A delegate speaks during a parallel session during the 5th World Media Summit in Nansha District of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 4, 2023. The summit attracted more than 450 representatives of nearly 200 institutions from over 100 countries and regions, including media outlets, think tanks and international organizations. Focusing on the summit's theme of "Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development," attendees took part in extensive discussions to contribute media power to the construction of a brighter future. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

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CHINA-GUANGZHOU-WORLD MEDIA SUMMIT-PARALLEL SESSIONS (CN)

(231204) -- GUANGZHOU, Dec. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Guests attend a parallel session during the 5th World Media Summit in Nansha District of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 4, 2023. The summit attracted more than 450 representatives of nearly 200 institutions from over 100 countries and regions, including media outlets, think tanks and international organizations. Focusing on the summit's theme of "Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development," attendees took part in extensive discussions to contribute media power to the construction of a brighter future. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

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CHINA-GUANGZHOU-WORLD MEDIA SUMMIT-PARALLEL SESSIONS (CN)

(231204) -- GUANGZHOU, Dec. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Delegates communicate at a parallel session during the 5th World Media Summit in Nansha District of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 4, 2023. The summit attracted more than 450 representatives of nearly 200 institutions from over 100 countries and regions, including media outlets, think tanks and international organizations. Focusing on the summit's theme of "Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development," attendees took part in extensive discussions to contribute media power to the construction of a brighter future. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

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CHINA-GUANGZHOU-WORLD MEDIA SUMMIT-PARALLEL SESSIONS (CN)

(231204) -- GUANGZHOU, Dec. 4, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Delegates communicate at a parallel session during the 5th World Media Summit in Nansha District of Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 4, 2023. The summit attracted more than 450 representatives of nearly 200 institutions from over 100 countries and regions, including media outlets, think tanks and international organizations. Focusing on the summit's theme of "Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development," attendees took part in extensive discussions to contribute media power to the construction of a brighter future. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)