Neither wind nor rain could dull the colors of pride.

Today, close to 150,000 people filled the Citizen’s Plaza in front of Taipei City Hall for the 23rd Taiwan LGBT+ Pride, held under the theme “Beyond Links: More than Clicks.”
Despite several days of drizzle, participants marched with determination and joy, turning the streets of Taipei into a sea of rainbow flags and laughter.

This year’s parade began at Citizen’s Plaza before splitting into two routes that looped through the East District and returned to City Hall.

Nearly 180 groups took part — from NGOs and gender-inclusive companies to international organizations, political parties, and thousands of individuals — showcasing Taiwan’s vibrant spectrum of communities.

Reaffirming the Spirit: “The Parade Belongs to Everyone”

The main stage was hosted by six cross-generational voices: publisher Lin Hanyu (Xiaoyu), social worker Zhi Wei from the Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, transgender guitarist Rachel of P!SCO, online creator Froggy Chiu, rapper RapShark, and drag performer Diva Tea Time.

Each appeared in one of the six rainbow colors: red (sexuality), orange (strength), yellow (hope), green (nature), blue (freedom), and purple (art) — symbolizing the shared belief that “LGBT+ means no one left behind.”

Children’s troupe Ocean Family opened the event with cheerful songs such as “Mermaid” and “My Lovely Family,” reminding the crowd that “the laughter of childhood should never be confined by labels, and every kind of love deserves to be embraced.”

Association Chair Simon Tai thanked everyone who joined the march for giving the event its meaning.

He also addressed the recent controversies that had caused disappointment among some participants, offering a sincere apology and reaffirming the parade’s inclusive mission:

“Taiwan Pride has always been a space where every sexually and gender-diverse voice can be heard. From our first parade, we have stood with transgender friends — and that will never change.”

He added that this year’s theme highlights how real connection begins when people are willing to see and understand each other’s different life experiences.

Voices from the March: Advocacy and Art in Motion

The first advocacy segment featured playwright Zhao Qi-yun calling on the public to guard against reducing a person to a single “label” or “stance.” Then trans-community exchange group “Backlight Town” founder Li Ke shared the multi-faceted lives and challenges of trans people, urging society: you don’t have to immediately “understand,” but you must believe in everyone’s autonomy over their gender. Finally, Woolf from the non-monosexual group “Bi the Way” spoke about the bi- & pan-phobia still prevailing within the broader queer community, demanding respect for each person’s “self-identification,” regardless of sexual orientation or gender.

Next, indie band  Qing Chong aoi (青虫 aoi) appeared in drag-inspired outfits while performing Taiwanese songs “Chun Jiao & Chun Jiao,” “Love Is…,” and “Prettiest Flower” — a gesture of support for everyone feeling alone, challenging gender stereotypes through the medium of song.

Unseen Stories: Breaking Invisible Barriers

In the second segment of advocacy talks: Yi-An from the Homeless Taiwan Association highlighted how societal perceptions of homelessness focus on middle-aged men, yet about 15% of homeless women face greater risk of sexual violence and lack of period resources. Xiao Chi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Association for Disability Rights, pointed out the intersection of disability and gender forms a “weak among the weak,” calling for recognition that “people with disabilities also have LGBTQ+ identities” and stressing that supporting a person with disabilities to live independently requires society’s collective strength. Finally, Ms. Yeh from the Persons with HIV/AIDS Rights Advocacy Association of Taiwan focused on how people living with HIV still face refusal of treatment and discrimination, rooted in society’s fear of the unknown. She called for genuine friendliness in every clinic and the realization of “health equity” in practice.

Rainbow Ambassador Enno Cheng: Singing of Freedom and Belonging

This year’s “Rainbow Ambassador” is singer-songwriter Enno Cheng. She opened her performance with “If You Also Wake Up,” the theme song of Taiwan’s rare lesbian-themed drama “Fragrance of the First Flower,” followed by the Taiwanese-language song “Lead Me.” Reflecting on her role, she said: in an age saturated with social media, the willingness to gather here, to discuss and to listen — that alone is wonderful. She concluded by wishing all participants a day of safety, freedom, and a felt sense of belonging.