NEW YORK (TVBS News) — The Season 16 winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race," Nymphia Wind, attended the NYC Pride March on Monday (July 1), highlighting Taiwan's unique achievements in equality, drawing from her experience performing at the presidential palace.
The NYC Pride March took place on Monday, with the Taiwanese team participating under the banner of promoting Taiwan's accomplishments in democracy, freedom, and human rights. The event, the largest LGBTQ+ parade in the U.S., centered on the theme "Reflect. Empower. Unite." It drew numerous groups and a large crowd of spectators, boosting the visibility of equality issues.
This year marked the seventh time Taiwan has joined the NYC Pride March. Taiwanese expatriates and students in the New York area showed up in support, enhancing Taiwan's visibility in international events and reinforcing its image as a friendly environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
The Tourism Bureau invited Nymphia Wind to serve as Taiwan's rainbow ambassador for the parade. At the Pride Fair, a Taiwan Rainbow booth was set up, allowing the public to gain a closer understanding of Taiwan's LGBTQ+ community's historical footprints and Taiwan's pioneering role in the equality movement in Asia.
Nymphia Wind mentioned that she had the opportunity to perform at the Presidential Palace in Taiwan and meet then President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文). She considered this a great honor, symbolizing Taiwan's diversity and openness, which she believes are quite rare worldwide.
The NYC Pride March originated from the Stonewall Riots on June 27, 1969, when the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City, was raided by the police. This sparked days-long protests by the LGBTQ+ community and became the starting point for global LGBTQ+ rights advocacy. The Stonewall Riots serve as a reminder of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, and June is celebrated as Pride Month across the U.S., with large-scale parades taking place nationwide.
