Taiwan Breaks Records for Gay Pride

Gay and lesbian leaders in Taiwan said they hosted the biggest ever pride parade in Asia on Saturday, drawing some 30,000 attendees to the event in Taipei.

A spokesman for Taiwan LGBT Pride told Agence France-Presse that turnout exceeded organizers' expectations.

"The tens of thousands who marched through Taipei on Saturday included supporters from China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, organisers said.

"Waving rainbow flags and placards, the marchers paraded for about a kilometre, many wearing Brazilian carnival-style costumes while others wore only men's briefs despite chilly winds and drizzle."

Organizers said they aimed to raise the profile of LGBT issues ahead of mayoral elections in five cities within the month.