Tens of thousands at gay rally
Print Edition
Asia’s largest gay parade attracted tens of thousands of people in Taiwan yesterday, organizers said, as the island’s legislature was set to review a bill on same-sex marriages.
Holding rainbow flags, colorful placards and balloons, participants from Asian countries, the United States and Europe marched in a business district in Taipei for the 11th annual parade, organizers said.
“This year’s theme is the same as the main appeal for our very first parade — showing support for those who are still suffering or being discriminated against for their sexuality,” said event spokesman Albert Yang.
The rally came as Taiwan’s legislature on Friday decided to begin reviewing a bill to amend the Civil Code to allow same-sex marriages. The bill, proposed by opposition Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers, will be discussed by the parliament’s judiciary committee.
“Legalizing same-sex marriages is the most important issue, as it will mean a big step forward for equal rights. I hope the parliament will pass the bill soon,” said Chang Hsiao-mao, a 24-year-old service industry worker attending the parade.
Gay and lesbian groups in Taiwan have been urging the government for years to make same-sex unions legal.
However, the campaign suffered a setback in January when Chen Ching-hsueh and partner Kao Chih-wei dropped their appeal to an court against a government agency which rejected their marriage registration.
Chen said he had “lost his faith in the judiciary” but added that death threats had been among factors prompting him to abandon the appeal.
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