Gay Pride attracts 10,000 plus for equality

The 15th Taipei Pride Parade got underway to a theme of “Penetrating Gender Equality, Coming On Multiple Sex Education,” which hopes to encourage gender and sexual diversity through education. However, in an era of seemingly ever-greater openness towards gender equality, many people still feel there is still an underlying element of sexual discrimination.

Holding Taipei Pride on the first three days of Halloween always ensures that the festival has an atmosphere of merriment and celebration, and this year helped convey the message of equal marriage rights in a more peaceable manner. Those participating in the event displayed great creativity, as well as a smorgasbord of styles and dress to attract the public’s attention.

Festival numbers have seen a gradual rise over the years, but with the added announcement that Taiwan intends to legalize same-sex marriages, this year saw a sharp rise in participants from both home and abroad. In addition to the parade in Taipei, a series of other events will also be launched in succession around the country.

以下為中文對照

第15屆台灣同志遊行登場，今年的年度主題為「澀澀性平打開開，多元教慾跟上來」，希望透過教育認識多元性別，不過在這看似性別平權觀念日益開放的時代，對許多同志朋友來說卻是包著糖衣的性別歧視。

萬聖節前三天舉行的同志大遊行，讓這個活動增添許多歡樂慶典的氣氛，也把婚姻平權的訴求以更加和平的方式傳遞出去。現場民眾發揮創意，以特殊的造型及打扮吸引大眾目光。

由於參與人數逐年遞增，加上今年同婚釋憲結果公布，聯盟預計本屆遊行來自國內外的參與者將大幅攀升。除了在台北舉行的同志遊行外，全台各地的遊行也將陸續展開。