Taiwan’s 21st annual Pride march in Taipei garnered an astonishing turnout of over 176,000 participants, solidifying its position as the largest LGBTQ+ Pride event in Asia’s history. Under the theme “Stand with Diversity,” the event marked two significant victories for LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan: the legalization of gay adoption and the recognition of Taiwanese same-sex spouses married abroad.
Vice President Lai Ching-te, a prominent presidential candidate, joined the parade, becoming the highest-ranking politician to participate. During his speech, he emphasized that marriage equality is just the beginning of Taiwan’s journey towards equal rights, pledging his unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community. President Tsai Ing-wen underlined the importance of democracy and freedom in Taiwan, fostering acceptance and respect for diversity.
Visitors from neighboring Asian nations, where LGBTQ+ rights remain limited, attended the event in solidarity. Additionally, individuals from the U.S. and the U.K. came to connect with Asian LGBTQ+ communities and share experiences of combating right-wing efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ rights in their home countries.
While Taiwan has made remarkable strides, it still faces challenges on the path to full LGBTQ+ equality. Same-sex couples are not legally permitted to conceive children through in vitro fertilization, and transgender individuals must undergo gender-affirming surgery before changing gender markers on official documents.
Taiwan is set to host WorldPride in 2025, marking the event’s 50th anniversary. This milestone is expected to significantly boost LGBTQ+ visibility and awareness of human rights in the region, extending its reach to surrounding countries and territories, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
The record-breaking turnout at Taiwan Pride reflects the growing support for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia and the ongoing fight for full equality in the region.
