Around 100 people protested in Taipei after police raided a well-known gay bar, detained 51 patrons for questioning and arrested its owner — with officers later disciplined over their conduct during the operation.
A police raid on a long-running gay bar in Taipei has sparked protests, allegations of discriminatory treatment and renewed questions about how Taiwan’s LGBTQ+ communities are treated by law enforcement.
Police from Taipei’s Wanhua Precinct raided Commander D in the Ximending area on Saturday 3 October.
Authorities said 51 people were taken in for questioning and the bar’s owner was arrested after officers executed a court-issued search warrant over suspected public-morality offences.
Police said the action related to provisions of Taiwan’s Social Order Maintenance Act covering public nudity or “lascivious” behaviour in public or publicly accessible places.
One patron, identified by his family name Wen, told reporters the raid had been frightening.
“They raided the place violently. It was very scary,” he said.
LGBTQ+ groups allege misconduct
LGBTQ+ organisations and patrons have raised serious concerns about the way the raid was carried out.
Advocacy groups alleged officers refused to properly show the search warrant, used excessive force, restricted patrons from speaking or using their phones and made discriminatory comments.
Some patrons also alleged they were prevented from getting fully dressed before being taken to the police station.
Police initially rejected some allegations of misconduct.
However, after reviewing recordings from the raid, Taipei authorities acknowledged that several officers had used inappropriate language.
Four officers were given disciplinary reprimands, while the lead investigator and Wanhua Precinct chief also received disciplinary action over the operation and its supervision.
One video that circulated online showed an officer making an inappropriate remark to a patron who uses a wheelchair, prompting further criticism.
Protesters take to the streets
Around 100 members of Taipei’s LGBTQ+ community demonstrated the following day, gathering near the city’s Red House — a landmark in one of Taipei’s best-known queer districts — before marching towards a police station.
Protester Kang Yang said the raid had shaken their confidence in Taipei’s reputation as an LGBTQ+-friendly city.
“This city used to claim that it was queer-friendly,” Kang said.
A coalition of LGBTQ+ organisations called for an independent investigation, accountability for any police misconduct and clearer protections for queer venues and patrons.
The groups argued that suspected criminal activity should be investigated on its merits without treating queer sexuality, nudity or BDSM culture as inherently criminal.
Mayor apologises after police review
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an initially defended the legal basis for the search while ordering police to review allegations about officers’ behaviour.
After the review found inappropriate conduct, Chiang apologised to those affected and said police discipline would be strengthened.
He said Taipei should protect people regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, identity, ethnicity or beliefs, and described the city as diverse and inclusive.
Police have continued to maintain that the raid itself was conducted under a valid court-issued warrant.
Authorities also said Commander D had been the subject of 13 complaints relating to alleged public indecency during 2026.
Commander D has disputed allegations about unlawful conduct at the venue and said it checks customers’ identification and ages at entry.
Not the only gay venue visited
The raid has also drawn additional scrutiny because Commander D was not the only LGBTQ+ venue targeted that day.
Police confirmed that Saturday’s operation was one of three involving gay bars in Taipei.
Advocates said that pattern contributed to concerns that queer venues were receiving disproportionate scrutiny.
No evidence has been established that the raids were ordered because the businesses catered to LGBTQ+ patrons, but campaigners have called for greater transparency about how and why venues were selected.
Why the raid has struck a nerve
Taiwan is widely regarded as one of Asia’s most LGBTQ+-inclusive jurisdictions.
In 2019, it became the first jurisdiction in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, while Taipei hosts one of the region’s largest annual Pride celebrations.
That reputation is one reason the Commander D raid has generated such a strong response.
For older LGBTQ+ Taiwanese, advocates say the operation also recalled an era when gay gathering places were more routinely subjected to police surveillance and raids.
The controversy comes only weeks before Taipei’s annual Pride celebrations, placing renewed focus on whether the city’s reputation for LGBTQ+ inclusion is reflected not only at major public events, but in the everyday treatment of queer people and spaces.
