THE MOST WELCOMING PARTY IN ASIA
2023 Taiwan LGBT+ Pride Parade Information:
Date: October 28, 2023 (last Saturday in October)
Location: starts and ends at Taipei City Hall Plaza
Taiwan LGBT+ Pride is the largest annual gay pride parade in Taiwan and the largest gay pride event in East Asia. The parade, which just had its 20th anniversary last year, has a history of inspiring change and celebrating progress. When the first Taiwan Pride parade was held in 2003, it was the first in the Chinese community, and its success encouraged Hong Kong to host its own Pride celebration. Taiwan Pride takes place in Taipei on the last Saturday of every October. This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, October 28.
In recent years, the event has featured a market area, an opening and closing ceremony, a stage show, and of course a half-day long parade through the vibrant city streets of Taipei.
Last Year’s 2022 Taiwan LGBT+ Pride Parade
Last year’s 2022 Taiwan Pride was the 20th anniversary of the event and its triumphant return to full force after two years of being influenced by the pandemic. In spite of the rain, it’s reported that around 120,000 people attended!
While the parade is a Taiwanese event, its popularity and welcoming spirit attract attendees from all over the world. This is specifically evident in the amount of attendees from other countries in Southeast Asia. Due to its scale, the parade is a great place to meet and make connections that extend beyond the local social sphere.
Parade Atmosphere
Taiwan Pride is a parade that shares the roads with both motor and pedestrian traffic, creating an interesting atmosphere of inclusivity and blurring the division between those marching and spectators in the streets. As a result, it’s not uncommon for bystanders to join in the march for a short segment to get to where they were going or for participants to enter and exit the parade traffic as they please.
A Welcoming Country
It’s no secret that Taiwan is the most open and welcoming country in Asia. It’s still the first and only country in Asia to have legalized same-sex marriage on a national level. And, as many people will tell you, it’s completely fine to be open about your sexuality as you travel around the country. Taipei is home to plenty of bars, clubs, bookstores and spaces that are dedicated to servicing the gay community.
From Ximending’s Red House, a historic building with a courtyard full of gay-friendly bars, and which plays host to annual events like the Gay New Years Eve countdown and the Taiwan Pride and Mr. Gay World Taiwan pageants, to LGBTQ+ bookstores and lifestyle shops such as GinGin Store and Love Boat, Taipei is filled with welcoming and historic locations to explore. We recommend starting out in the square behind the Red House, at either The Garden of Café Dalida and seeing where the night takes you.
