Promotion of "Same-Sex Marriage" Triggers Intense Social Confrontation and Pre-referendum Skirmishes

By late 2016, the Tsai Ing-wen government began pushing for the legalization of same-sex marriage. While supported by progressive groups, it encountered strong resistance from conservative and religious organizations. Instead of facilitating rational dialogue, the government was criticized for its "propaganda-first" approach, which further polarized the society. This period marked the beginning of long-term social division over marriage equality, eventually leading to a record-breaking series of referendums in 2018.