About 176,000 people marched through the streets of Taipei on Saturday Oct. 28 as part of Taiwan’s 21st annual LGBTQ Pride Parade, a celebration of diversity and inclusion.
Costumed participants pose during Taiwan’s annual LGBTQ Pride Parade in Taipei on October 28, 2023. (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images)
The attendance number, estimated by the organizers, has surged from a mere 800 since its inception in 2003, making it Asia’s largest Pride parade.
Participants take a selfie during Taiwan’s annual LGBTQ Pride Parade in Taipei on October 28, 2023. (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images)
Themed “Stand With Diversity”, this year’s celebrations include two separate parade routes that spread across the country’s capital, a 120-booth Rainbow Market and performances from drag queens and go-go dancers.
Costumed participants take part in Taiwan’s annual LGBTQ Pride Parade in Taipei. (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images)Taiwan’s LGBTQI activist, Chi Chia-wei, the first person in Taiwan to come out as gay on national television in 1986, leads the parade of Taiwan Pride 2023 (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
The country’s thriving LGBTQ community also attracted 5,000 to 10,000 attendees from other parts of Asia and beyond.
Costumed participants take part in Taiwan’s annual LGBTQ Pride Parade in Taipei. (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images)
In 2019, Taiwan made history as the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
A woman hold a placard, “Free Hens, Free Love”, during the parade of Taiwan Pride 2023 (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
One of the participants carries a large rainbow flag during the parade of Taiwan Pride 2023 (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
This year, vice president William Lai, who is the current frontrunner for president in next year’s election, also joined the parade, pledging to continue his party’s support of LGBTQ rights.
The DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te attends Taiwan’s annual LGBTQ Pride Parade. (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images)
