Taiwan Pride 2024: Record-Breaking Celebration of Love and Equality in Taipei

Taiwan’s Pride Parade celebrated its 21st year this weekend and drew in a record-breaking crowd of over 150,000 attendees.

On Saturday, October 28, 2024, Taipei became a dazzling showcase of love and unity as a parade of colorful floats and eye-catching costumes filled the streets. Participants, hailing from places like Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan, marched through the heart of Taipei, waving rainbow flags.

“Gender equality … is very important, especially in Asia where there are still many conservative countries,” an attendee named Daniel told AP. “Taiwan is relatively democratic and free, so everyone comes to Taiwan to participate in the parade for gender equality and speak up for equal rights.” Daniel continued. The first Pride Parade in Taiwan took place in 2003 and had only 700 participants, many of them wearing face coverings to avoid stigma. Taiwan was the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019.

“I feel like after COVID, it’s just very special to have everyone come from overseas again,” Nick Van Halderen, a drag performer from New Zealand who lives in Taipei, shared with AP. “It still feels like quite a novelty.”