《TAIPEI TIMES》 Lai calls for respect for all as Taiwan celebrates Pride

健康 國際 地方 蒐奇 影音 財經 娛樂 汽車 時尚 體育 3 C 評論 藝文 玩咖 食譜 地產 專區 TAIPEI TIMES 求職

People wave rainbow flags and accessories during the annual Taiwan Pride parade in Taipei yesterday. The parade’s theme was “Our Voices, Our Journey,” and it was aimed at encouraging the public to combat political polarization and global opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion through active listening and solidarity. Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA

MORE THAN A PARADE: People shared stories, with one saying they wanted to show their mom the road they took and the people who have been by their side

By Esme Yeh / Staff reporter

Taiwan Pride parade began in Taipei yesterday, with President William Lai （賴清德） calling for equality, dignity and respect for all.

“Seven years ago, Taiwan became the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, the result of years of advocacy that secured loving couples the right to marry and start a family,” Lai wrote on Facebook. “But the fight for equality must not be reversed, and more work is needed to ensure everyone can live with dignity and security in their daily lives.”

Such respect must also be reflected in every exercise of public authority, with officials acting in accordance with the law and respecting privacy, so that no one feels fearful or targeted because of their identity, he added.

The Taiwan Rainbow Civil Action Association said more than 170,000 people from Taiwan and abroad took part in the Pride parade, which is east Asia’s largest Pride event.

Participants celebrated the freedom to express themselves while calling for greater understanding and an end to discrimination.

An Oct. 3 police search of a Taipei gay bar had revived memories of state oppression of LGBTQ+ spaces, association chairperson Simon Tai （戴佑勳） said.

Although the city government had apologized and disciplined personnel, Tai called for a transparent investigation and binding policing guidelines.

Association spokesperson Charlie Wu （查理） said the theme of this year’s parade is “Our Voices, Our Journey,” encouraging people to learn more about each other by listening to different life experiences.

A 29-year-old parader, surnamed Jian （簡）, said he defines himself as a gay man and has taken part in the annual parade for 10 consecutive years.

“My participation in this year marks a milestone, as it is the first time I join with my mom,” Jian said. “I wanna show her the road I took, and the people on my side and what they are like.”

A parader nicknamed Jeff （小恩） who identifies as a man with an internal gender identity of a woman said: “I continue to join the parade many years, because I can be myself 100 percent on the day of parade.”

Many people still give strange looks to those who try to be themselves, especially cross-dressers or transgender people, Jeff said.

“However, I believe that doing my best, being my true self and expressing my voice without hurting anybody can make the world better and bring happiness to people,” Jeff said.

Romee, who identifies as bisexual, said she traveled with her aunt from the Netherlands to take part in the parade.

“I’m most concerned about conservatism that is getting bigger and bigger in the Netherlands,” she said. “I heard this is the biggest pride in Asia and I think we can learn a lot from Asian pride for my own country.”

“To celebrate everyone and celebrate love, and then we can all love who we want,” she said.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim （蕭美琴） led the Democratic Progressive Party’s （DPP） delegation to Pride, while DPP Legislator and Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen （沈伯洋） attended a different part of the rally.

Other political party participants included the Chinese Nationalist Party’s （KMT） youth wing, the Taiwan People’s Party, the Social Democratic Party, the New Power Party and the Taiwan Statebuilding Party, among others.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an （蔣萬安） of the KMT arrived at the end of the parade and was met with shouts of “don’t raid gay bars.”

“I already said this earlier: I apologize for the impact on those affected,” Chiang said. “So on this matter, we will conduct a rigorous investigation and impose immediate discipline.”

Additional reporting by Wu Po-hsuan, CNA and Reuters

People dressed in Pikachu costumes pose for photos outside Taipei City Hall during the annual Taiwan Pride parade yesterday. Photo: CNA

Chi Chia-wei, a veteran LGBTQ+ rights activist, attends the annual Taiwan Pride parade in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Cheng Yu-chen, AFP

People take part in the annual Taiwan Pride parade in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Wu Po-hsuan, Taipei Times

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