20,000 march in Taipei for gay rights

TAIPEI - More than 20,000 people marched in Taipei Saturday to demand equal rights for gays and the legalisation of homosexual marriage.

The gay pride march, which began with only 500 participants in 2003, drew more than 20,000 homosexuals and supporters, including gay rights activists from China, Japan and Malaysia.

Participants in the march came from nearly 100 gay rights groups and social groups, including the Taiwan branch of Amnesty International and Taiwan Green Party.

Led by a giant rainbow flag, symbol of the gay rights movement, the procession moved from the square in front of the presidential office building to downtown Taipei, before returning to the same square for a concert.

Professor Ho Chuen-juei said the parade is to raise the voice of the gay, lesbian and transgender community, to fight prejudice and discrimination.

Taiwan’s gay rights movement has achieved a lot over the years, but much needs to be done, because in recent months there have been some cases of suppression on homosexuals, she wrote in an open letter on the internet.

Among Asian countries, Taiwan is one of the most open societies regarding tolerance of homosexuality.

In 2003, when the current President Ma Ying-jeou was Taipei mayor, the Taipei City government began to subsidise the annual Gay Carnival, but the funding has dwindled over the years.

Organiser of Saturday’s march urged Ma, who became president in 2008, to honour his campaign promise to promote equal rights for homosexuals.