TAIPEI, Taiwan, Oct. 29 (UPI) — Tens of thousands of members of Taiwan’s LGBT community marched along the capital city’s streets in hopes of moving toward marriage equality.
Approximately 80,000 people marched in the rain during Asia’s largest gay pride parade in Taipei on Saturday while waving signs calling for Taiwan to legalize same-sex marriage.
Businessman Ted Chen and his Australian boyfriend Sam Livingston stood among the crowd full of people dressed in colorful costumes while carrying rainbow, colored umbrellas and flags in celebration of the parade’s theme “fun together, honor diversity.”
After 14 years of marching in the parade, some in the somewhat liberal region of Taiwan believed new President Tsai Ing-wen, a member of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, could make same-sex marriage a reality as she reaffirmed her support of marriage equality.
“Today, there is a rainbow in Taiwan,” she said, according to China Post. “Love should allow people to feel free, to feel equal and to feel strong. Although my role has changed, my belief has not changed.”
Other members of the DPP such as Legislator Yu Mei-nu joined in the celebration along with New Power Party Legislator Hsu Yng-ming.
Both expected the marriage equality bill to be reviewed this term and were hopeful same-sex marriage would be legalized in Taiwan by next year.
Opposition from the Kuomintang party, who also sent key figures to the parade stalled proposals for marriage equality, before they were unseated by the DPP in May, according to the BBC.
“This is the time,” Yu said.
Thanks to everyone who made the effort to join the 2016 #TaiwanPride! #loveislove #taipeipride #lgbt
