The rose boy who changed Taiwan's schools
A boy who only wanted to go to the toilet in peace changed Taiwan's schools. Since 2023, a day of remembrance has honoured him.
On 20 April 2000, fifteen-year-old Yeh Yung-chih left the classroom during a music lesson. He attended Gao-Shu Junior High School in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan. Shortly afterwards, classmates found him on the floor of the boys' toilet, in a pool of blood. Yeh died in hospital the next morning.
That he went to the toilet alone during lessons was no coincidence. Yeh was slight, spoke in a high voice and was considered by many to be "too feminine". Classmates had teased and harassed him for years because of this, including in the toilets. To avoid them, he stayed away from the toilet during breaks.
The authorities initially spoke of an accident or a pre-existing condition. The family and activists did not believe it. The case went through several courts. In 2006, a court in Kaohsiung concluded that Yeh had slipped on the wet floor. Because the school had breached its duty of care, the principal and two employees were sentenced to short prison terms for negligent homicide.
Activists soon called Yeh the "rose boy", after the Chinese title of the film "Ma vie en rose". His death sparked a broad debate in Taiwan about how schools treat children who do not conform to common gender roles. In 2004 the country passed a Gender Equity Education Act. It obliges schools to respect children regardless of gender expression and sexual orientation and to protect them from bullying.
Since 2023, 20 April has officially been Gender Equity Education Day in Taiwan. The education minister said at the time that every 20 April should bring the country closer to a more inclusive society. An educational film about Yeh is still shown in classrooms today.
A boy who only wanted to go to the toilet undisturbed thus changed the school system of an entire country.