Press release of 15th Gay and Lesbian Awakening Days (GLAD) Carnival

Every year in May, several gay and lesbian communities in university campus from northern Taiwan unite together for the annual event, Gay and Lesbian Awakening Days(the so-called GLAD), held for its purpose to awaken all levels of gay and lesbian students and to remind the society of their multicultural existence. This year (2010) would be the 15th; since the beginning of May, a series of activities have already been held, such as a united welcome party, queer film festival, academic speeches focusing on gender issues and the dancing party last weekend, in which more than one thousand people have participated. This weekend on May 29th, Glad will lower its curtain by holding one of its biggest event: 【Concentric Carnival】.This carnival is said to be the most special and ostentatious event of all; also, it may be the biggest queer carnival in both Taiwan and Eastern Asia held by student NGOs. 

The Carnival can be divided into two main theme areas and seven activities; The “Rainbow Boulevard” takes place on Wu-Chang Street in Shi-Men, with NGO queer communities and other profiting gay-friendly stores exhibiting their products and works. Also, student communities will set their vendors in the Movie Theme park, situated on the corner at the end of Wu-Chang Street. Student hosts have designed a series of fun activities and games in order to celebrate with people, more importantly, to let queer students be seen by the society.

  The seven activities will be introduced below: “Erotic Trilogy” is combined with three events: Theme Amusement Park, Body Exhibition and Haunted House, by which hosts claim their sexual desire to be liberated and understood. In accompany with Sex Toy Exhibition, Queer Film Festival and Exhibition introducing pan-Asia gay and lesbian social movements, hosts want to show different aspects of queer culture in both academic and artistic ways. Meanwhile, there will be spectacles and shows on the stage, interacting with all the audience. The most meaningful event, GLAD’s Adventures in Wonderland, will be a small-scaled pride parade in Shi-Men. When the night comes, participants will wear their hand-made masks and visit different places in groups. By this act hosts try to tell people that queers usually wear an invisible mask when dealing with heterosexuals because of the unfriendly atmosphere in society. No matter what sexuality one may have, he/she must be respected and seen. All LGBT members ask the society to face their multi-sexuality and see them as normal individuals.

  All the activities mentioned above will be held on May 29th starting from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hosts invite all kinds of people to come and participate in this larger-than-ever fun event and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere together. Let’s celebrate our own uniqueness in a queer way!