Kaohsiung’s WorldPride Dinks away Taiwan’s name amid political drama
It’s not every day you read that a global LGBTQ festival is scrapped because of a one‑word squabble. In Taipei, the government says it’s for political considerations, but the real story? InterPride’s sudden decision to snip the word “Taiwan” from the event’s title.
What happened?
- Original plan: Kaohsiung was set to host the first WorldPride 2025 Taiwan in East Asia. It had the world’s eye‑catching rainbow banners and a promise of a vibrant celebration.
- The hiccup: InterPride told organizers to drop “Taiwan” in favor of a simpler “Kaohsiung” branding.
- Local reaction: Kaohsiung’s planners called it a “sudden” move that threatened the interests of the local gay community.
- Outcome: The project was terminated before a contract was signed.
Why the fuss? — The China angle
Because Yu-chan’s demux is still a footnote in the common‑wealth of Beijing’s territorial claims. When Taiwan participates in the Olympics, they’re “Chinese Taipei” or a “region.” That’s a classic diplomatic dance to avoid triggering China’s ire.
In 2019, Taiwan made headlines by legalising same‑sex marriage—Asia’s first. It’s a proud beacon of LGBTQ rights. Yet its neighbour, China, keeps LGBTQ content stifled, with strict laws against same‑sex marriages and heavy media censorship.
InterPride’s silence
Despite the magazine’s statement, InterPride took a “nowhere” stance, offering no comment—perhaps because stepping in could stir a larger diplomatic storm.
Official Taiwanese words
The Foreign Ministry laments, “InterPride’s decision breaks our mutual trust, hurts the Taiwanese LGBTQ community, and undermines the progressive spirit we’ve long stood for.”
In short, a fidgeting word bought a whole event away from a party that would have showcased Taiwan as the rainbow’s front‑line camp in the East.
Bottom line
For the moment, Kaohsiung’s heart‑warming WorldPride dream has dimmed. But the spirit of queer pride—bright, bold, unbothered—remains unstoppable. If anything, these twists remind us that identity is more than politics; it’s about people, community, and putting on a show that shakes the world.
