Taiwan holds Asia’s largest gay pride parade

TAIPEI: A sea of rainbow flags and glitzy costumes filled downtown Taipei yesterday as tens of thousands marched in Asia’s largest gay pride parade, the first since Taiwan’s top court ruled in favour of gay marriage.

The island looks set to become the first place in Asia to legalise gay marriage after the constitutional court said in May that laws preventing same-sex unions violated the guarantee of freedom of marriage. It gave the government two years to implement the decision.

The anticipation was felt in Saturday’s parade, as dancing crowds in colourful wigs and sequined outfits made their way through the capital’s centre alongside vans blasting music.

Many spared no effort in dressing up, from a man posing in a sweeping bridal dress and a tiara to another donning an inflatable dinosaur costume.

But behind the celebrations, some are frustrated at the lack of progress in changing the current marriage laws since May.

“A lot of people cannot afford to wait two years. We just want the same things heterosexual couples have.

“We also do our military service, we pay the same taxes, so why can’t we have the same thing?,” said Joseph Wu.

Hino Chen, 29, echoed this sentiment, adding that he hopes the government will change the civil code rather than enact a separate law to enable gay marriage – which critics say is still discriminatory. — AFP