Nearly 150,000 people braved the rain to celebrate Pride in the first Asian city to legalize same-sex marriage.
Just weeks after Hong Kong’s Legislative Council voted down a proposal to recognize same-sex partnerships, LGBTQ advocate Jimmy Sham walked through Taipei’s rainy streets in a black rainbow T-shirt on Saturday, joining tens of thousands at Asia’s largest Pride parade.
Nearly 150,000 people braved the rain to celebrate Pride in the first Asian city to legalize same-sex marriage, including almost 180 NGOs, political parties, international organizations, and gender-friendly companies, according to parade organizers.
Drag queens in sparkling sequined gowns and revelers in vibrant rainbow costumes filled the streets with an explosion of color, painting Taipei’s rain-soaked streets with joy and defiance. This year’s parade began at Citizen’s Plaza before splitting into two routes that looped through the East District and returned to City Hall.
“I’m envious of Taiwan,” Sham said, watching government booths line Taipei’s streets. “You can see the Taipei city government and all the government departments setting up booths. In Taiwan, all the political parties show they care about the gay community.”
The contrast between the two places couldn’t be starker.
Continue Reading on The Diplomat
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.