Flag-raising to launch gay event

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on August 31, 2006. It features the seventh annual "LGBT Civil Rights Movement - Queer-Friendly Taipei" festival, which will begin on September 17, 2006. A rainbow flag will be raised in front of the Taipei City Hall to celebrate the event.

The festival is hosted by Taipei City's Department of Civil Affairs. It will be the first gay event organized by a local government in Taiwan. Indeed, the Taipei City Government has listed the festival as an item in its annual budget in order to help break down stereotypes of gays and make gay issues more visible. The city is sponsoring the event to stress its respect for minority groups and cultural diversity.

"Conservative and religious groups have been criticizing the event, and we welcome different opinions. We will invite these groups this year to discuss issues of gay rights together," officials from the Taipei City Government said.

The Gender/Sexuality Rights Association in Taiwan is helping organize the festival. According to the organization, the event will include a flag-raising ceremony, which will be the first of its kind in Asia. There will also be gay rights forums at the Taipei City Council.

"The recognition of the rights of gays and lesbians by all people requires making a long-term effort step by step… This festival will establish a bridge and allow the public to better understand the gay community," representatives of the Gender/Sexuality Rights Association in Taiwan said.

Finally, a gay art exhibition will take place between September 28 and October 5, 2006, at the Huashan Culture Park. Gay rights groups will also hold a gay parade on September 30, 2006.

More information about the "LGBT Civil Rights Movement - Queer-Friendly Taipei" festival can be viewed at the event's website at:

www.lgbttaipei.net