The "Pride" parade in Slovakia recently made headlines as it drew thousands of participants to Bratislava, the capital city, last Saturday, July 20. The annual event, celebrating LGBTQIA+ rights and identities, was marked by support from local and international communities.
For the first time, the Taiwan Representative Office signed a joint statement and participated in the parade with other embassies and international organizations in Slovakia, according to their press release. Bratislava Mayor Matus Vallo, Old Town Mayor Matej Vagac, and Bratislava Region Governor Juraj Droba, also co-signed the statement affirming their commitment to equality and human rights.
The joint statement underscores that Pride reminds everyone that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves the same respect, dignity, and equality in human rights, regardless of who they are or who they love.
Taiwan’s Representative in Slovakia David Nan-yang Lee (李南陽) emphasized that Taiwan's participation at Pride events raises global awareness of Taiwan’s progressive stance on human rights. He highlighted Taiwan's role as not only being the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage but also the 27th worldwide.