Over 80,000 people on Saturday marched
in Taiwan's largest LGBT Pride parade.
According to The China Post,
attendance at Taipei's 14th annual parade increased from
78,000 last year to 82,000 this year.
Marchers dressed in colorful costumes
and waived rainbow flags as they paraded in front of Taiwan's
presidential palace. One marcher waved a sign which read, “
Homosexuality won't destroy the world, ignorance will.”
The theme this year was “fun
together, honor diversity,” but many participants had rights on
their minds.
“The call for marriage equality feels
stronger than last year,” Connie
Chiang told the AFP. “We hope same-sex marriage can be
realized as soon as possible so our child can have two legal moms.”
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP), which took power in May, is expected to back a same-sex
marriage bill.
On Friday, Justice Minister Chin
Tai-san said that the government had a clear position on the issue
and that it backed equality, The
Telegraph
reported.
If approved, Taiwan would become the
first Asian country to extend marriage rights to gay and lesbian
couples.