Thousands of participants gathered in central Taipei for the 24th annual Taiwan LGBT+ Pride parade, waving rainbow flags, carrying a giant banner, and chanting the march’s guiding slogan, “Our voices, our journey.” Despite scattered clouds and a brief afternoon shower, attendees turned out in force for the demonstration.
The event’s organizers selected this year’s theme to urge the public to combat political polarization and a growing global anti-DEI backlash through active listening and solidarity. The parade route wound through the streets of central Taipei, beginning and finishing at the city hall, with various corporate contingents participating, including representatives from Gilead Sciences.
The march unfolded against a backdrop of recent tensions between local venues and law enforcement. Rights groups have criticized an October police raid on a Taipei gay bar as heavy-handed, with several local campaigners alleging longstanding institutional homophobia within police departments. Other LGBTQ+ venues have also experienced increased pressure, including a gay bathhouse that closed in April following a series of police raids and inspections.
These local pressures contrast with Taiwan’s broader legal landscape. Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019, making it the first place in Asia to do so. Furthermore, a recent survey indicated that public support for marriage equality has risen from 42% when the law was enacted to 54% in more recent findings.
