Massive Taiwan Gay Pride parade pushes key referendum vote

Flamboyant drag queens and horned devils rubbed shoulders with Christian pastors and supporters Saturday as tens of thousands of people took part in Taipei's Gay Pride parade -- the biggest in Asia -- ahead of a landmark vote next month on LGBT rights on the island.

Taiwan's top court in May 2017 legalised gay marriage, the first place in Asia to do so, and ruled its decision must be implemented within two years.

But there has been little progress towards bringing in the mandatory change since then, with President Tsai Ing-wen saying society is still divided.

Anti-gay rights campaigners have mounted a referendum against amending the civil code to allow same-sex couples to marry, which will take place alongside local elections in November.

They say marriage should be defined as "a bond between one man and one woman."
"We hope everyone will make the right choice in the spirit of democracy."