Thousands gather for colorful celebration at Taiwan Pride parade

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Thousands gathered on the streets of Taipei on Saturday for the Taiwan Pride parade, one of Asia’s largest annual celebrations of inclusivity.

Attendees, many dressed in colorful costumes, walked waving flags and banners with messages of support for gender equality. Some hailed from across the region, from places like Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan.

Taiwan has built a reputation as one of Asia’s most gender-inclusive places. The island democracy in 2019 was the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after a yearslong campaign by gay rights advocates.

Saturday’s parade overlapped with Halloween celebrations, with some attendees’ costumes pulling double duty for both events.

“More and more people come to participate in the parade every year,” said an attendee who only gave his first name, Daniel, citing fear of stigmatization, and wore a winged centaur costume and vampire teeth.

“Gender equality … is very important, especially in Asia where there are still many conservative countries,” he added. “Taiwan is relatively democratic and free, so everyone comes to Taiwan to participate in the parade for gender equality and speak up for equal rights.”

Nick Van Halderen, a drag performer from New Zealand who lives in Taipei, expressed excitement about reuniting with friends from across the region.

“I feel like after COVID, it’s just very special to have everyone come from overseas again,” Van Halderen said. “It still feels like quite a novelty.”

The Taiwan Pride parade began in 2003 with just 700 participants gathering in a park in central Taipei — most of them wearing face masks to avoid stigmatization.

Organizers of Saturday’s event said they hoped to create a safe space where everyone felt comfortable to