Gay parade puts Taiwan on global stage

2014-11-03

Taiwan LGBT Pride, an annual parade advocating equal rights for the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, drew more than 65,000 participants from across Asia Oct. 25 in Taipei City.

Organized by Taiwan LGBT Pride Community, the mardi gras-style event themed Walk in Queers’ Shoes wound its way along a 1-kilometer route through downtown Taipei to the Presidential Office Plaza. Starting in 2003 with just over 500 participants, the procession has come along in leaps and bounds and is now largest of its kind in Asia.

In an Oct. 29 article, The New York Times lauded the parade as a beacon for gender rights and diverse sexual orientations in the relatively conservative society of Asia. It also illustrates Taiwan’s achievement in advancing democracy over the years.

This year’s event attracted contingents from Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and mainland China, with some of the overseas revellers hailing it as the party of the year, according to the article.

Attributing the success of the procession to Taiwan’s media freedom, robust democracy and soft power, the U.S. daily said it is also spurring change and promoting equality and tolerance across Asia.

While many countries in the region impose strict regulations on or even criminalize same-sex relationships, Taiwan is already mulling a tentative marriage equality bill in the Legislature, albeit facing opposition from various religious groups, the article said.

As an essentially Confucian society, Taiwan has shown tremendous respect for people of dissimilar opinions, race and sexuality with its liberal attitude. It can inspire the rest of Asia to follow suit and foster greater tolerance and understanding within society, according to the article.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=223541&CtNode=413)