By Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNA
The Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR) yesterday said that it is to participate in the upcoming Tokyo Pride Parade for the fifth time, showcasing the diversity of LGBTQI+ people in Taiwan.
The Tokyo Pride Festival is set to take place on Saturday and Sunday, with the parade starting on Sunday at noon.
TAPCPR said it would have a float and participate in the parade as “Team Taiwan” with the theme “diversity in everyday life,” emphasizing that LGBTQI+ people are a diverse and beautiful part of society.
Photo: AFP
Japan is an important partner on the road to equal rights, TAPCPR cofounder Victoria Hsu (許秀雯) said.
LGBTQI+ rights have improved in Japan, although it has not yet achieved the “final victory,” and the far right has been trying to roll back equality, Hsu said.
By participating in the parade, TAPCPR hopes to deepen the friendship between Taiwan and Japan, and strengthen equal rights, she said.
Although Taiwan passed marriage equality six years ago, important work remains to create social equality, Hsu said.
She said she believes that this year’s Tokyo Pride would be meaningful and increase the international visibility of Taiwan’s efforts toward equality.
TAPCPR’s outfits for the parade are designed by the Taiwanese fashion designer and founder of the Wangliling brand Wang Li-ling (汪俐伶).
Wang said that her eight designs for the parade would represent diverse identities, including senior people, couples, those with disabilities and queer people.
Following the theme “diversity in everyday life,” the designs could all be worn in everyday life and incorporate technological concepts, Wang said.
The most special aspect of the design is that although the clothes use black as their base color, they reflect red when light shines on them, she said.
The design for Taiwan’s float is inspired by the nation’s highest mountain, Yushan (Jade Mountain, 玉山), and incorporates semiconductor patterns, symbolizing the nation’s democratic resilience and diversity, TAPCPR said.
Team Taiwan carries the pride of being the first country in Asia to achieve marriage equality and would showcase the diversity of LGBTQI+ communities, it said.
AloJapan.com