Tens of thousands brave rain at east Asia's largest Pride march in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Almost 150,000 people braved blustery rain in a boisterous and colourful celebration of LGBTQ+ equality in Taiwan on Saturday at east Asia's largest Pride march, thronging the streets of the capital city Taipei.

Taiwan legalised same-sex marriage in 2019 in a first for Asia and is a bastion of tolerance and liberalism in a region where the rights of sexual minorities are often either suppressed or outlawed.

The streets of central Taipei were packed for the 23rd annual Pride parade.

Eden Lau, 33, a personal trainer from the China-ruled city of Hong Kong, told Reuters he was extremely happy to be attending for the very first time.

"In Hong Kong things for the LGBT (community) have gone backwards. I don't know why but it's really a shame," he said.

In September, Hong Kong's Legislative Council vetoed a bill that would have granted limited legal rights to same-sex couples who had registered their marriage or relationship overseas, drawing criticism from LGBTQ+ groups.

President Lai Ching-te, who in 2023 while he was running for the presidency marched in Pride as the most senior government official ever to do so, posted a message of support on his Facebook page, saying everyone deserved respect and kindness.

"The government will continue working to ensure that everyone is cherished for their uniqueness, free to live and shine on this land, and to make Taiwan an even more inclusive and understanding nation," he said.

Organisers put the number of attendees at almost 150,000.

Taiwan's openness on LGBTQ+ issues stands in marked contrast with China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own territory over the strong objections of the government in Taipei.

While same-sex relations are not illegal in China, same-sex marriage is not recognised, and the government has been cracking down on activists and depictions of LGBTQ+ people in the media.