What pride?

I’m wondering what the organizer InterPride was thinking when it chickened out on its World Pride event.

See, an international LGBTQ+ convention was due to be held in Taiwan, dubbed WorldPride Taiwan 2025. But because of the looming Chinese presence, InterPride asked that the name of the event be changed to something less inflammatory --WorldPride Kaohsiung-- named of course after Cebu’s sister city, Kaohsiung.

Well, the Taiwanese were having none of that, and instead of going along with the request, the convention was cancelled. As it should have been.

Taiwan is at the forefront of LGBTQ+ protection in Asia, being the first country in the region to legalize gay marriage. We were rapturous in 2019 when the news broke, and Taiwanese couples started putting a ring on it. Around 200,000 individuals immediately descended unto Taipei in October of that year to celebrate Pride, ecstatic with the wondrous development.

I’m sure the macho Chinese mainlanders took that gobsmacking news as rubbing salt on the separation wound, never mind the millions of gay Chinese who would happily betroth themselves to their loves if only they were given the chance to get hitched in their own country. Not that the Chinese leaders ever listened to their gay constituents.

Having taken the bold step of recognizing marriage equality amongst heteros and homos, a giant stride no other Asian country has managed to make, Taiwan should have been paid the enormous respect and honor it deserves by the organizer.

As an organization that purportedly advocates for equal rights and the right to self-determination of sexuality, it is ironic, to say the least, for InterPride to kowtow to the wishes of the bully that is China, a behemoth that refuses to recognize Taiwan’s right to self-determination and self-governance.

Would it not have been the greatest (and most fabulous) statement if InterPride had tried to celebrate not just sexual identity, but national independence? Wouldn’t the concept of pride revolve and coalesce around not just on sexual id, but on personal identity as citizens or nationals?

What is the use of InterPride proclaiming that it “pursues” and “safeguards” freedom of speech and freedom of expression, when it itself is actively participating in the muzzling of Taiwan from using its own name? Nothing safeguarded there. Quite the opposite, in fact.

InterPride also says it shows “solidarity…for those in hostile environments or suffering from human rights violations in the context of pride”. Well, wouldn’t the fact that mainland China has been cracking down on the depiction of homosexuality in media, as well as the reality that it is illegal for same-sex couples to get married in China, be enough impetus for InterPride to show solidarity with the Taiwanese peoples?

The minute China gets its grubby hands on Taiwan, then for sure, the marriages celebrated by same-sex Taiwanese couples get chucked out the (redrawn) Chinese borders. Would this not be a clear call to action for InterPride if it were true to its mission vision?

That this gathering of LGBTQ+ personages was a big deal was evident in the fact that the government of Taiwan even issued a statement, saying “Taiwan deeply regrets that InterPride, due to political considerations, has unilaterally rejected the mutually agreed upon consensus and broken a relationship of cooperation and trust”. Not only that, but it also said “Not only does the decision disrespect Taiwan’s rights and diligent efforts, it also harms Asia’s vast LGBTIQ+ community and runs counter to the progressive principles espoused by InterPride.”

Oof. That was a sucker punch. Where indeed are your progressive principles, InterPride? Not in visible display at the moment. What a disappointment.

No amount of scholarly conferences and pride parties can compensate for actual active vigilance in the protection of human rights. In this instance, InterPride missed a massive opportunity. And for sure, it hasn’t done itself proud.