Amid Pandemic, Taiwan is one of the very few countries to host the world’s only physical LGBT Pride Parade. Many pride parade celebrations were called off in several countries due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Taiwanese capital Taipei was the one that held its annual live LGBT Pride parade on Sunday.
The parade in Liberty Square in Taipei, has drawn tens of thousands of people in the past, but saw less participants this year due to Covid-19 fears and heavy rain. As per Taiwan’s Central News Agency, over 1,000 people flamboyantly dressed and carrying rainbow placards, attended the parade.
People marched in Taipei, Taiwan LGBT Pride Parade, saying they were “marching for the world” during the LGBT pride season. Organiser Darien Chen said it was an honour to march when nearly 500 other events globally had been cancelled.
Last year Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. On 17 May 2019, lawmakers in Taiwan approved a bill legalizing same-sex wedding. On 24 May 2017, the Constitutional Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry.
Those who did take part in the celebration said it was a testament both to Taiwan’s ability to contain the pandemic and its commitment to rights for people of all sexual orientations. and its liberal political system has long promoted human rights, free speech and freedom of assembly.
Taiwan normally holds its pride parade in October but hundreds of marches got cancelled around the world, so Taiwan brought this year’s event forward.
Organiser Darien Chen said, “The whole world is facing the height of the pandemic, So Taiwan won’t give in. and we must continue with this flame of hope and stand up for the world.”
“The LGBT community in Taiwan wanted to mark the 50th anniversary of the first pride marches in the US.” He added.
“I’m here to march for France,” Cookie, a French drag queen who has been living in Taiwan for the past six years told AFP. “Since the rest of the world cannot march or even go out, we have the opportunity to march for the rest of the world,” he added.
American student Loren Couse, 28, said Taipei’s ability to hold the parade was “really impressive.” “I think Taiwan has done a really good job so far, and I am really proud of living here, not only because it’s so open to people like myself, the gay community, but also because I think it’s such an example for the world and how to handle the pandemic so far,” Couse said.
In all, Taiwan, the island of 23.7 million people has confirmed 447 cases, including seven deaths.
