On this day in queerstory: Pride in Taiwan

On this day each year, the streets of Taiwan’s capital pulse with colour, voices, and determined steps. October 27 marks in many people’s minds a turning point in Asia’s visibility of queer rights — and as the annual Taipei Pride unfolds, it stands as both celebration and reminder of how far the movement has travelled.

In 2012, in what was then the 10th iteration of the parade, tens of thousands of participants marched through Taipei demanding marriage equality and an end to discrimination. The event marked Asia’s largest LGBTQ demonstration at the time, asserting that queer lives in East Asia would no longer remain invisible.

This season’s parade carries forward that legacy — but with fresh urgency. Against the backdrop of global backlash to queer rights, cities like Taipei have become symbols of how pride, protest and policy can step into sync. Organisers estimate that this year’s march will top last year’s numbers, underlining how what once was fringe has become major public spectacle. Local authorities have reinforced logistics and security to ensure inclusivity and safety.

The 2012 parade on October 27 wasn’t just about flags and floats — it was about making a claim on public space. Tens of thousands filled Taipei’s city centre, many clad in rainbow, many participating for the first time. Observers at the time noted it as not only a demonstration, but a movement moment: the kind of collective display that can shift the conversation from “queer rights as niche” to “queer rights as mainstream civic concern”.

In the years since, Taiwan has made groundbreaking strides: in 2019 it became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, and the pride march has become both a celebration and a pressure valve — reminding politicians and society that visibility matters, and so does policy. The parade theme this year: “Voices Together, Futures Visible.”

City officials this week urged participants to “make pride responsible and loud in joy.” Several new floats have been designed by queer youth groups, and community centres are coordinating volunteer brigades to welcome first-time marchers and international visitors. Local hotels and hospitality venues report increased bookings.

This date binds together a simple but powerful arc: from public march to public policy, from marginalised identity to shared civic culture. When people visibly claim space — banners, voices, footsteps — they perform both defiance and belonging. And when that performance is sustained, it shifts what a city, a country, a region recognises as “normal”.

For queer communities in Asia and beyond, October 27 is a reminder that visibility isn’t vanity — it’s politics. It’s about saying: we are here; we matter; we vote; we expect rights. It’s about moving from the margins to the centre while still holding space for those who haven’t had access yet.

For those watching from outside Taiwan, October 27 offers inspiration: when pride becomes public, policy begins to listen. When joy becomes visible, rights become harder to ignore.