200,000 join Taiwan’s pride march five months after island legalises same-sex marriage

Ruling by Supreme Court in May makes 17th annual parade ‘more grand’ than ever, organisers say as crowds fill the streets of Taipei

But LGBT community fears law may be ‘changed back’ if opposition party wins January’s presidential election

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More than 200,000 people took part in this year’s pride march in Taipei, the organisers said. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:51pm, 26 Oct 2019Updated: 10:48am, 28 Oct 2019

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Taipei on Saturday for the 17th annual pride parade, with organisers expecting a record turnout after the Taiwan government became the first in Asia to pass same-sex marriage legislation in May.

Crowds of people waving rainbow flags and riding on flamboyant floats set off from City Hall along Ketagalan Boulevard for the 5.5km (3.5 mile) walk, whose theme this year was: “Together, make Taiwan better”.

Organisers said the multicoloured celebration was “more grand” than in previous years because of the historic same-sex marriage law, with more than 220 groups from around the world and 30 companies taking part.

More than 200,000 people turned out for the event, they said, far exceeding last year’s 130,000.

There was plenty of colour on show on the streets of Taipei. Photo: EPA-EFE

“We hope that now LGBT people can form their own families, Taiwan’s society can see the existence of this community – we are your neighbours, your close friends and your colleagues,” Chi Wei Cheng, from hosts the Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, said ahead of the parade.

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