Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) The annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride parade in Taipei kicked off Saturday with the display of a giant rainbow flag symbolizing diversity.
Crowds who gathered on Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office cheered and applauded as the flag was raised at around 2:30 p.m. to kick off the parade, the largest of its kind in Asia.
Organizers estimated that a record number of 110,000 people from over 20 countries are participating in this year's event, which has drawn an additional spotlight this year after Taiwan's Constitutional Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in May.
With a theme of "Make love, not war -- sex-ed is the way to go," the parade this year calls for swift passage of legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in Taiwan, and to give an assurance that gender equality education will be adequately implemented in schools.
Three groups of participants will parade around nearby streets, before converging again on Ketagalan Boulevard for an evening event that will include an appearance by Japanese singer MISIA.
