Taiwan’s president supports Pride parade, backs same-sex marriage

The president of Taiwan has given her support for this past weekend’s Pride parade, held in the capital, Taipei.

On Saturday, almost 90,000 people took part in the annual Pride celebration. This year, the focus was on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Participants took to the streets waving rainbow flags and decked in a range of costumes and outfits, including wedding dresses.

Signs called for marriage equality to be made legal as soon as possible, with messages such as “How long must we wait?” and “Love is a human right”.

Draft legislation that will allow same-sex couples to marry and end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is currently being considered in Taiwan.

Writing on Facebook on Saturday, President Tsai Ing-wen – who assumed office in May – once again affirmed her support for marriage equality.

Along with a picture of a rainbow, she stated: “All love is equal, all are equal. Today Taiwan has a rainbow. Keep on Believing.”

Taiwan Pride was first held in 2003 and has grown to become the largest Pride in Asia.

The nation is regarded as one of the most progressive states in the region when it comes to LGBT rights.

Homosexuality is legal and discrimination against gays and lesbians is already outlawed in the areas of employment and education.