Feature: Thousands march in Taipei gay pride parade

Thousands of people, resplendent in costumes and rainbow flags, marched in Taipei's largest ever gay pride parade Saturday afternoon.

Parade floats decorated with balloons of every color of the rainbow led the parade, highlighted by muscular men and drag queens. Young lesbian couples were seen dressed as grooms and brides while old gay couples marched hand in hand.

Lin Shao, 19, asked onlookers to write down a short statement or verse on colorful stickers and stick them to her body.

"I would like to make the parade more meaningful. People should be brave to speak about what they want," Lin said. Someone wrote, "fight for everyone's happiness," another read, "equal right of marriage."

Her idea was inspired by the pride parade itself. "For me, marching in a gay parade is just like labeling ourselves."

It was her second time joining the parade. "I felt accepted and warm last year," she said.

Taipei resident nicknamed "Tudou," has attended the march for about six years. The young man in his late twenties drew much attention dressed in a white rabbit costume with pink wings.

"Many people think gay people live on the sidelines, and sometimes in a dark corner. It is good for all of us to show that we have a good life even though our sex orientation is different," he said.

Apart from members of many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations across Taiwan and abroad, there were also curious onlookers.

Chen Xiao, a college student from the mainland who studies in Taipei, came with her friends. "I am really curious. I have never been to such an event. It is like a carnival," she told Xinhua.

First held in 2003 with about 500 participants, Taipei's gay pride has grown quickly. An estimated 65,000 people took part in last October's parade and this year the organizer, the Taiwan LGBT Pride Community, expected about 78,000 people.

This year's theme was "no age limit." Members of the LGBT community and its supporters are urged to explore how age and gender hinder expression, the organizer said.

Although not many, senior citizens and children were part of the event.

Lin Yi-hsuan brought her nine-year-old sister to the parade. "She has started to ask about marriage and love. I would like to introduce her the idea of diversity and non-discrimination," she said.

Several LGBT-related events were held this week in Taipei, including an international conference held Wednesday and Thursday in Taipei. Endi