ZONE:

"Let the diversity show its face" is the theme of this year's Taiwan LGBT Pride Parade, the largest march of its kind in Asia. This year, the parade aims to reach out to "LGBTS" - with the "S" referring to "straights" or heterosexuals.

"We hope to include the target participants this year to those who acknowledge the existence of LGBT," said Lu Xin-jie at Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, one of the organisers.

Also, bisexuals and transgenders are normally muted in Taiwan society, and therefore, the parade on next Saturday (Sept 27) will offer them a venue to garner support and walk chin up, she added.

The turnout this year is expected to hit 20,000, another milestone compared to last year's 15,000 people.

This will be a new record set compared to the first Taipei march in November 2003, where only 500 people showed up. Those who took to the streets the second year grew beyond 3,000.

The scale of the event and participant numbers have put Taipei LGBT Parade as one of the most significant in Asia, Ms Lu told Fridae.

But putting the annual event together does come with a hefty price.

There are 10 associations roped in this year, and they had to source for funding and donation themselves.

The total bill is expected to come up to NT$800,000 (US$25,000).

And this year, the challenge is to find a new "Rainbow Ambassador", a
LGBT-friendly celebrity who is willing to show face and vow support for the community.

Last year, Taiwanese pop singer A-Mei made headlines as she was the first ambassador, taking the stage to sing songs and lent support to the 15,000-strong crowd. She has donated a necklace to be auctioned online with proceeds going to the event. The auction ends Sept 20.

Organisers say they have approached Hong Kong singer Sandy Lam and Malaysian Fish Leong, but to no avail due to scheduling difficulties.

They are still making their eleventh-hour efforts with just a week to go, hoping to land someone at last as this will for sure be a boost to the parade's morale.

"With or without an ambassador this year, our parade will still go on with full force," Ms Lu said.

2008 Taiwan LGBT Pride Parade "Run the Rainbow Way"
Date: Sept 27, 2008 (Saturday)
Time: 1pm, parade begins 2pm
Assembly location: Taipei City Hall Square
Route: Taipei City Hall Square → Ren Ai Road → An He Road → Zhong Xiao East Road → Yat Sen Road → Ren Ai Road → Taipei City Hall Square