My Taiwan, a truly open society -> Gay pride throngs Taipei streets - the largest such parade in Asia
report2009
speech, democracy... now even the largest gay parade in Asia! I love
my Taiwan. Taiwan is what future China should be! haha!
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/11/01/2003457392
Gay pride throngs Taipei streets
COMING OUT: From 500 revelers six years ago, the Taipei LGBT Pride
Parade drew an estimated 25,000 participants this year, the largest
such parade in Asia
By Vincent Y. Chao
STAFF REPORTER, WITH CNA
Sunday, Nov 01, 2009, Page 2
A lightly dressed participant in Taipei’s LGBT Pride Parade poses for
a photo on Ketagalan Boulevard yesterday.
PHOTO: WANG MIN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMES
Rainbow flags covered downtown Taipei yesterday afternoon as thousands
of participants in this year’s Taiwan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) Pride Parade took to the streets, calling on the
government to better protect gay rights.
During the parade, songs from romantic and pop genres clashed with
heavy metal and trance music. Slogans were shouted by dozens of
different organizations. Spectators shouted encouragement. Others just
stood, endlessly clicking away on their cameras.
Now in its seventh year, the Taiwan LGBT Pride has grown from a humble
gathering of 500 participants in 2003 to become the largest annual
LGBT parade in Asia. Organizers estimated that there were more than
25,000 participants this year, 5,000 more than they had originally
expected.
As the revelers snaked their way through the busy streets of Taipei,
passing by 228 Peace Park (228和平公園), Ximending (西門町) and Zhongxiao W
Road, spectators gathered to watch the parade.
“We support this [event] 120 percent,” spectator Simon Chan said. “I
think this event will let the public understand more about gay
culture.”
The slogan this year was “Love Out Loud” (同志愛很大) as parade organizers
hoped to encourage members of the public to love and not discriminate
against their lesbian, gay, transgender, transsexual or transvestite
relatives, colleagues and neighbors. They also called on the
government to do more to protect their rights and lifestyle choice.
They went on to say that both of the nation’s main parties have
neglected their demands.
“We want to emphasize that we love this society and its people,” said
Ann Tung (童楚楚), convener-in-chief of this year’s parade. “We want to
exchange our love for the public’s recognition.”
This was a frank reference to an anti-gay march held last Saturday by
several Christian groups. The groups were led by two former
Presbyterian Church pastors who emphasized the traditional definition
of marriage.
That however, failed to deter the participants, who gathered in 30°C
temperatures yesterday. Parade organizers later said that more than
100 organizations showed up to voice their support, including students
from National Taiwan University as well as doctors and teachers’
organizations.
Groups from the US, Europe and Japan also joined the parade.
“I think [Taiwan’s] gay scene is amazing,” said a spectator named
Maria, who was visiting from the US. “It’s not that different to the
one we have in Chicago.”
“Taiwan is very outgoing. Even in Japan it is more conservative,” said
Naiyuki Fukai, who is an organizer for next year’s Tokyo Pride event.
The event ended at 7pm following performances by Tony Fish (大炳) and
Fish Leong (梁靜茹), who was the parade’s “rainbow ambassador” this year.
Tung later expressed hope that this annual event could spread to
Kaohsiung and Taichung next year.
Anti-DabianchenVirus
of yours: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64156901@N00/3415206204/ .
*Your* Taiwan? When did you acquire possession, you ugly lesbian
Philippino whore?
It must be full moon. Bwahahahahaha!!
Peter Terpstra
a074-454...@g31g2000vbr.googlegroups.com> :
> My Taiwan, a truly open society -> Gay pride throngs Taipei streets - the
> largest such parade in Asia.
I have read the website. Good for Taiwan and an example for the Asian world.
In Amsterdam we also have every year gay parades, all kinds off political
people are participating in it.
Kind Regards,
Peter
report2009
several years, they donated the money and offered the place. Now, my
government is thinking to legalize prostitution, we soon may have
something like Red Light District of Amersterdam. :-)
Taiwan has opened up to mainland Chinese tourists. One of favorite
activities for those Chinese tourists is to watch Taiwan’s political
talk shows to see how guests cursing our president, high ranking
officials which they will not be able to experience that in China.
On Nov 2, 12:52 pm, Peter Terpstra <pe...@dharma.dnsdojo.org> wrote:
> report2009 in <2019e799-6fa5-423e-
> a074-454b8f4af...@g31g2000vbr.googlegroups.com> :
Teshan
> My Taiwan has become a truly open society! We have free press, free
> speech, democracy... now even the largest gay parade in Asia! I love
> my Taiwan. Taiwan is what future China should be! haha!
theirs.