Walk with Pride: Coming Out Rain or Shine

Artwork by Yu-Tsen Pai

Artist's Statement

October 29, 2022 marked the 20th Anniversary of the Taiwan LGBT Pride parade, just one month before the nation’s mayoral elections. Despite the rain, more than 120,000 people marched through Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, in support of not only LGBTQ+ rights, but also human rights and democracy in Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Tibet.

Taiwan was the first, and still the only, country in East Asia to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019*. This year, after almost 3 years of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the country welcomed both domestic and international groups and individuals to celebrate at this symbolic meeting point for the region’s LGBTQ+ rights community.

As the old saying goes, “And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow” – Gilbert K. Chesterton.

* In June 2022, Japan announced to adopt legislation that would recognize same-sex partnerships by issuing certificates, but same-sex marriage would still be considered illegal.

* Over the decade, same-sex couples in Hong Kong can enjoy some spousal and tax benefits, but same-sex marriage remains illegal.

* As of 2022, South Korea and China recognize homosexuality but not same-sex partnerships, nor are there anti-discrimination legislations being enacted.