But those reluctant to support the gay movement on moral grounds might rather look to the profit principle for persuasion. Even famously conservative Singapore is jumping on the gay band-wagon, hoping that the so-called "pink dollar" will bolster the economy through gay tourism.
In August, a gay sponsored event that coincided with Singapore's National Day raked in over US$6 million and attracted over 2,500 foreign visitors. Singapore has even put economists on the job. They found that acceptance of gay culture can, in fact, help transform the city-state into a creative, idea-driven economy.
Wu said the Taiwanese government, if only for economic reasons, would be wise to join the Pride Parade in Taipei. "Of course we invite government officials, but we also would like them to walk with us and show their support, with more than just words and nice speeches."
At this time last year, when the US government was making strides toward banning gay marriage, gay rights supporters championed in vain for the Taiwanese Ministry of Justice's proposed Protection of Human Rights Basic Act (
Cautious supporters of the Taiwanese gay rights movement, like author Roan, think that the very idea of a gay parade in Taiwan warrants reconsideration.
"I question whether or not the parade is suitable for Taiwanese society. We have to consider what Taiwanese gays really need. Western gays needed to build a strong bond and centralized community, but in Taiwan this is not very necessary."
Roan might try running that idea past a computer science student at National Taiwan University who goes by the name of Kevin. He said that before he found other gay friends on the Internet he felt isolated and had "dark thoughts." It was precisely the community he found that he said "helped me get through and come out to my parents."
Whatever reservations one might have about the cultural or philosophical limitations of a gay rights movement in Taiwan, the Pride Parade symbolizes a degree of freedom that Taiwan's homosexual cousins in China are light-years away from achieving. And political, historical, and moral considerations aside, the parade promises to be a colorful and entertaining fete filled with boas, leather, speedos and even the average gay next door.
For your information :
What: Taiwan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade (
When: Saturday, from 1pm to 5pm
Where: Assemble at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
For more details: See a map of the Pride Parade route and information on how to donate to the parade and Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline at: http://1106.bdsm.com.tw/ (Chinese and English)
Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association: www.hotline.org.tw. Call (02) 2392 1970 or (02) 2392 1890
RSS