Taiwan Pride returns to Taipei with a message of solidarity, as organisers expect at least 150,000 people to join the 24th annual parade. More than 180 groups are registered, and this year's theme calls on people to listen and move forward together. The event comes amid renewed debate about LGBTQ+ spaces and the way they are treated.

A parade shaped by a call to be heard

Taiwan Pride's theme, “Listen together, walk together”, puts collective action at its heart. Organisers say the parade offers a physical space where people from across Taiwan's diverse communities can share their experiences, make their voices heard and help the wider public understand them.

That purpose feels especially pointed this year. Organisers say discussion of diversity and inclusion has grown more polarised, while a recent police search of a Taipei gay bar has brought fresh attention to concerns about state power and LGBTQ+ spaces.

More than 180 groups are expected

Taiwan Rainbow Civil Action Association chair Dai You-hsun said more than 180 organisations had registered. Participants include representatives from European, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian offices, as well as groups from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau and Malaysia.

Political groups are also taking part in different parade formations. It makes for a broad mix of participants, and a reminder that Pride is both a community gathering and a highly visible public event.

What to expect at Taipei Pride

Organisers estimate at least 150,000 people may attend, helped by a forecast of favourable weather. Alongside performances and advocacy from the stage, more than 90 stalls are planned for Taipei's Rainbow Market, with around a third run by Taiwanese and Asian non-governmental organisations.

The market adds a more leisurely side to the day: visitors can browse, talk to community groups and discover causes beyond the parade route. For anyone heading along, it's worth allowing time for both the march and the stalls.

Parade routes start at Taipei City Hall

The parade is scheduled to gather outside Taipei City Hall at 2pm, with participants splitting into northern and southern routes before returning to the plaza. The northern route passes along Ren'ai Road, Dunhua South Road, Zhongxiao East Road and Yixian Road.

The southern route also begins at City Hall, travelling via Ren'ai Road, Guangfu South Road, Xinyi Road and Dunhua South Road before heading back. With two routes and a large crowd expected, checking the event's official information before setting off is a sensible way to plan your journey.

Why this year's message matters

The police search of a gay bar earlier in October has sharpened the parade's message, according to organisers. They say the incident has prompted people in Taiwan and abroad to revisit memories of LGBTQ+ spaces facing pressure from public authorities.

Pride can be celebratory and political at once; that's part of what gives a march its force. This year's theme asks people not only to speak up, but to make room to listen, too.

A little planning can help you take in more of the parade, the market and the conversations around them.

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