A Riot Of Colours As Taiwan Holds Pride Parade

Some two hundred thousand revellers marched through Taipei in a riot of rainbow colours and celebration on Saturday as Taiwan held its first pride parade since making history in Asia by legalising gay marriage.

The island has long hosted the region's largest pride marches but this year Taiwan's LGBT community and their supporters had an extra reason to celebrate.

In May, lawmakers took the unprecedented decision to legalise same sex marriages, becoming the first place in Asia to do so.

Over 2,000 couples have since wed, many of them taking part in Saturday's festival.

"I am very excited because it's the first pride parade after same-sex marriages are recognised and I got married," said Shane Lin, who became one of the first to wed his partner in the days after the new law came in.

"I am very moved that people around the world are joining us," the 31-year-old said.

Behind him passed a steady stream of colour, from dancers with gym-honed bodies, to unicorn floats and rainbow balloon arches.

"I support marriage equality because it is a basic human right," said Henry Wu, a heterosexual teacher who brought his five-year-old son to the march.

"Taiwan made huge progress in legalising same-sex marriages ... I feel very proud we are the first in Asia to do so," he added.

Organisers estimated more than 200,000 people attended Saturday's festivities. (AFP)