By Hung Jui-chin
and Sam Garcia
/ Staff reporter, with staff writer
Tainan is running up the rainbow flag and hosting LGBTQ+ events from Sunday to May 24 as it observes the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, inviting drag performers and gender minorities to perform and share their experiences. The Tainan City Government raised a rainbow flag for the first time at the Yonghua Civic Center on March 14, coinciding with Tainan’s 9th Pride parade and symbolizing the city’s commitment to gender equality. On the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on Sunday, the city would raise rainbow flags at the Yonghua Civic Center, Minjhih Civic Center and Zengwun Vision Park, as government offices across all 37 districts convey support for the LGBTQ+ community.
A rainbow flag flies at Tainan City Hall on March 14.
Photo: Hung Jui-chin, Taipei Times
The initiative carries cultural and educational significance and reflects the city’s progress, the city government’s Social Affairs Bureau said, adding that it began promoting the campaign yesterday. The city has invited content creators FuFu Knows (夫夫之道), drag queen Teng Pai-pai (鄧百百) and comedian RayRay (瑞恩) to talk about their experiences and perform, showcasing diverse genders and sexualities, and deepening public understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, the bureau said.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is commemorated annually on May 17, the date that the WHO declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1990. Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage on May 24, 2019 and continues to champion LGBTQ+ rights. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) said this year’s theme, “Walking With You,” symbolizes mutual support and moving forward together on the path toward gender equality. Tainan should address issues of diversity and serve as a force for greater understanding and inclusion, flying the rainbow flag, which symbolizes diversity, hope and pride, throughout the city, Huang said.