Behind Taiwan’s Asia Rainbow Ride to promote LGBT rights and awareness – ‘It seemed like a no-brainer’

Taiwan was the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, is known as an LGBT-friendly destination, and is a great place to tour by bike

Asia Rainbow Ride organisers Lisa Dazols and Jenni Chang talk about their passion project that harnessed cycling to promote LGBT rights, and plans to grow it

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The Asia Rainbow Ride in Taiwan was set up to promote LGBT rights across Asia. Photo: Asia Rainbow Ride

Published: 2:45pm, 10 Nov 2020Updated: 2:45pm, 10 Nov 2020

American Lisa Dazols was on a cycling tour around Taiwan in March when she had a light-bulb moment.

The experience reminded her of the Aids/Lifecycle fundraiser, an annual week-long bike ride in California from her home city of San Francisco to Los Angeles. It was cancelled this year due to Covid-19, the first time the event has been interrupted since it was established in 1994. Dazols met her wife, Taiwanese-American Jenni Chang, on the ride in 2008.

“It gave me the idea to start a bike ride in Taiwan that could bring together people who want to ensure the freedom to love in Asia,” says Dazols via Zoom from Taiwan where she is now based. “Taiwan is the hub for LGBT freedom in Asia and it’s also the best cycling destination in the region, so it seemed like a no-brainer.”

Last year, Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Its LGBT Pride parade – held every year in the capital city, Taipei – is one of the largest in the region. Last month’s attracted tens of thousands of people.

While Taiwan is leading the charge, Dazols says same-sex activity remains outlawed in more than 20 countries in Asia.