Fridae

Taiwan Pride organisers have asked Taipei City Government to respond by 19 October to demands for an independent investigation into the police search of a gay bar earlier this month.

The deadline comes in a statement issued on 13 October by the Taiwan Rainbow Civil Action Association, which organises the annual march. It puts a date on the group’s call for accountability ahead of Pride on 31 October.

The association wants outside oversight of the investigation and a public account of how the search was planned and commanded. It also asks the city to explain the legal basis for restricting customers’ movements and phone use, conducting body searches and taking people to the police station.

Its requested review would address the handling of the search warrant, how customers were informed of their rights and why, in the group’s view, supervisors did not stop the conduct. The organisers want the investigation’s procedures, findings and full review report made public, with disciplinary action for confirmed misconduct and a formal apology to affected customers.

Taipei City Government told Central News Agency that Mayor Chiang Wan-an had already apologised publicly several times and ordered police to review the operation and establish responsibility under the applicable laws and disciplinary rules. The city said its support for gender equality was a continuing commitment, and rejected the organisers’ suggestion that attending Pride could serve as a “redemption ticket”.

The dispute follows the 3 October search of Commander D in Ximending. Fridae previously reported the criminal complaint filed over the operation and earlier demands for external oversight. The organisers’ latest statement adds a response deadline and spells out the records they want the city to release.

There is also a message for politicians planning to attend the march. The organisers welcome those who support LGBTQ+ policies, but say they should join as participants. Campaign flags, vests and giveaways bearing candidates’ ballot numbers are prohibited at the gathering and in the parade.

Which record would you look for first in the city’s response: the warrant, the chain of command or the rules on phone use?

Taiwan Pride takes place on Saturday, 31 October. Organisers ask anyone encountering deliberate provocation at the march to alert event staff and let them handle it.