PostedAugust 12, 2022, 2:16 PM
TaiwanGlobal LGBT event canceled because of its name
Taiwanese LGBT leaders on Friday canceled an international rally after world organizers asked them to remove the name of the island Taiwan from that of the event.
A participant at WorldPride 2021 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
AFP
WorldPride Taiwan 2025 has announced its cancellation, citing LGBT rights NGO InterPride’s request to rename the event “WorldPride Kaohsiung”, after the city in the south of the island to host the rally. Taiwan is an autonomous democracy, which China claims, depriving it of full participation in the international scene and restricting its diplomatic relations.
The government of Taiwan regretted political interference in the event, the first of its kind in Asia, which aimed to advance diversity and equality in the region. “Taiwan deeply regrets that InterPride, out of political considerations, unilaterally rejected the consensus reached by the two parties and broke a relationship of cooperation and trust,” the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday. .
Not only does the decision disrespect Taiwan’s rights and diligent efforts, but it also harms Asia’s vast LGBTIQ+ community.
InterPride did not respond to solicitations.
Taiwan, which last year won the organization of WorldPride 2025, an event combining marches and cultural events, is at the forefront of LGBT rights in Asia, with the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2019, a first in the region. . WorldPride’s Taiwan committee said it made the decision “in the best interest of Taiwan’s LGBTIQ+ community” and said its members would step down from their positions.
(AFP)