Fridae

The 2004 Taiwan Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade will be held on November 6 in Taipei. The parade will set off from the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial and wind through the 228 Peace Park to the Red Theater in Ximending.

According to a spokesman for the organising committee, Wu Hsu-liang, he said that the parade will not be funded by the city government, as was the case last year. He highlighted that this year will mark the first time that the parade is being organised solely by the gay community, and appealed to the general public to give donations in support of the event.

In a statement, Wu encouraged gay and lesbian residents of Taipei need to come out and be a part of the event. He hopes that the event highlights the need for all members of society to respect all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation as well as to understand that they have the responsibility to teach the next generation that there is no "wrong" identity and that differences must be respected.

Although the statement did not disclose the reasons for the city's non participation, observers attributed it to the city's shrinking budget over the past few years and opposition by city councillors to allocate funds for the gay parade.

The main theme for this year's parade is "Awaking Awareness of Citizenship," Wu said, adding that gay rights activists consider their civil rights restricted.

Wu also revealed that for the first time this year, a new group, BDSM which encompasses bondage and submission, bondage and discipline, and sadomasochism adherents, will join the parade.

Last year, the government of Taiwan announced that it would consider legitimising gay marriages and recognising the right of homosexual couples to adopt children as part of its plan to improve its human rights record but the proposal was derailed as the territory had its presidential elections in March this year.