Guest fountainhall Posted October 27, 2011 Posted October 27, 2011 Wednesday 26th One day to go before I leave for Taipei and the Gay Parade on Saturday. Or is it Sunday? I’ve just seen a Taipei website which clearly lists it as being on Sunday. Thank goodness I allowed an extra day and my return flight is on Monday, but I have to check. Oddly, I have seen precious little on the web about this, the largest Gay Pride Parade in Asia with 30,000 people attending last year. Even fridae.com has screeds about the recent Shanghai Gay Pride Week, and nothing about Taipei. So I send a request off to the email contact on the Taipei Pride site. Within a couple of hours, I get a very nice mail from Yoshihiro, its PR Representative. He kindly gives me full details. “Join us!” he says. Sure, Hiro-san! I’ll be there, unless Suvarnabhumi is inundated with water, that is – and that’s my worry now. Assuming the airport is operating, what happens if my part of town is under some water? How do I get to the airport? I’ve already decided if there are any sections of the airport expressways below the water level, I’ll give the express train from Makkasan or Phayathai stations a try for the first time. But, problem! I don’t have a hard-shell small bag! All mine are fabric cases. What if I have to drag it through a bit of water before getting a cab? Got it! Cling film. I’ll get a couple of rolls of cling film and wrap the entire case (apart from the wheels) in several layers of the stuff. That, and wrapping everything inside in plastic bags, ought to do it. (For the return on Monday evening, I know there's a company in the departures area which cling wraps bags, so the home run will be OK. But . . . and here’s the rub. I go to a couple of supermarkets. No cling film on the shelves! Fortunately I have some in the kitchen. Hopefully that will be enough. But I do find bin liners. Even better. I’ll wrap everything inside in bin liners, tape them up – and bingo! But bin liners smell. It’ll have to be belt and braces, then: everything in TOPS bags first and then bin liners! And yes, I even packed my wellington boots, as I’m sure I’ll need them for the return on Monday evening. Thursday 27th Another gloriously sunny morning – and still no flooding. So I got to the airport by taxi in plenty of time. The KLM jumbo has arrived and I am enjoying a glass of champagne in the lounge. Yes, I’m spoiling myself (again!). At Bt. 9,000 for economy and Bt. 14,000 for business class, I’m not stinting on that extra Bt. 5,000. After all, you also get one of those cute Delft houses with advocaat inside at the end of each flight! That’ll make 9 or 10 in my little collection. Goodness! I can remember when Singapore Airlines used to hand out freebies in business class – long time ago! Whooppee! Taipei – here I come! More to follow . . . Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted October 28, 2011 Posted October 28, 2011 Friday 28th A beautiful Taipei morning, dispelling fears from the BBC’s weather website that this would be a day of showers. Mind you, why I still use that website for long-range weather, I sometimes wonder. A few years ago, I was confined to my Taipei hotel room watching lashing winds and torrential rain as a typhoon raged in full force outside. I looked on the BBC’s website. Unbelievably, that day’s forecast for Taipei was for clear skies and bright sunshine! I mean, how wrong can you be! At breakfast I check one of the Taiwan English newspapers. Cloudly with sun tomorrow. Perfect! Today I will do a walk through tomorrow’s Parade route as I want to find out where the best vantage points will be. I have still not seen any estimate of spectators, but I imagine photos may be hard to get in some areas. I am staying at the Ambience Hotel, a favourite haunt of mine in this city. It’s a newish, slightly hip and gay friendly hotel which at this time of year charges around US$85 per night, including breakfast, wi-fi internet and taxes. It’s an easy 10-minute walk to the nearest subway or a short taxi-ride to the main station area. All the staff are young, courteous and smiling. On my last visit, there were two gorgeous gay guys at reception. Last night it was two young ladies. Even this morning, no guys there. Perhaps they’re out buying their speedos for the Parade tomorrow! I noticed two items of general interest in the papers this morning. The first is about pilots in China. With the air traffic system growing massively, seems there is now a major shortage of qualified pilots, and airlines are increasingly turning to overseas pilots. Two airlines already have 1,300 recruited from the USA. By 2015, the shortfall will be around 18,000. These pilots get a lot more than their Chinese colleagues – salaries of around US$150K to $160K is the present range for single aisle aircraft – tax free! The article quoted one former Delta pilot who has relocated to Shanghai saying he really enjoys the working environment. On a sadder note, there is a major article on the huge compensation award (almost US$4.4 million) made to the mother of a 21-year old air force serviceman who was convicted and then executed for allegedly raping and killing a 5-year old girl 14 years ago. It turns out he was convicted on the basis of a confession forced from him after 37 hours of continuous interrogation by a dozen or so investigators. A military court has now adjudged that the serviceman was innocent and had been tortured into confessing. Not only that, they found no evidence that he was anywhere near the scene of the crime! Now another man with a history of sexual abuse has been arrested! The island's defence ministry says it has learned lessons and will not allow such miscarriages of justice to happen again. Would you believe such a claim? I certainly don’t. I know there are some people who remain pro the death penalty. I do not, and this sad case is another reason why no authority anywhere should have the right to take away another person’s life. But enough of such sad matters. Time to inspect the Parade route, and get ready for the assignation I have made for later with a young man from fridae! Oh, I do love that site! More to follow . . . Quote
Guest Posted October 28, 2011 Posted October 28, 2011 Even this morning, no guys there. Perhaps they Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Saturday 29th: Part 1 This is it! The Parade Day. Outside the sun is shining brightly, although there are a few clouds around, and the forecast is for a cloudy afternoon, Pity, as the route is mostly along tree-lined avenues that will make photographs a bit more difficult. Yesterday evening was delightful with a young police trainee as company. First time for me, as far as I can recall. As I told him, if I ever get into trouble in Taipei in future, he’ll be my one phone call . We both had a great time! A late-ish breakfast in the hotel, check I have camera, spare battery charged up, water, sunscreen, map and hat – and off I go to the subway. I get out at Peace Park close to the starting point for the Parade. This Park is well known to gays and was for years known as “the one behind the Hilton” – a hotel long since replaced by the Caesar’s Park. Many moneyboys used to congregate here after twilight, and it was one of the most famous cruising places in Asia with some very good-looking guys always around. It became notorious after the novel Crystal Boys was filmed here. The Park was also the scene of the infamous '228 Incident', also known as the '228 Massacre'. This was an anti-government uprising that began in February 1947 that was violently suppressed by ruling Kuomintang government. Estimates of the number of deaths vary from 10,000 to 30,000 or more. The incident marked the beginning of the Kuomintang’s White Terror period in Taiwan, in which thousands more native Taiwanese vanished, were killed, or imprisoned. Martial Law continued on the island until as recently as 1987! The number "228" refers to the day the massacre began: February 28. But today, the Park is again filling up with lots of cute guys and girls, this time to celebrate their gay lifestyles. There’s an hour before the March starts, and already I see groups from Malaysia, Japan and several Taiwan universities. None from Thailand, though. Friends are helping each other paint their faces and get the their placards in order, whilst others are waving flags trying to locate their friends in the growing throng. Should I be surprised that they all seem so amazingly young? In wonderfully happy mood, soon everyone troops the 300 meters or so to the huge main square where matters of dress and undress will be finalised the rally and March is to start. More and lots of photos of the Parade later today . . . Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Saturday 28th: Part 2 The Parade itself starts bang on 2:00pm from a huge square very close to the front of the Presidential Palace. I have no idea how many people are here - but it sure is a lot. It Quote
Guest thaiworthy Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Great pictures, Fountainhall. You have really captured the essence and character of the event. I liked the last photo best. They seemed easily obliged to pose for your camera. The guy second from the left has a nice trail of hair you rarely see on Asian men. He is hot, hot, hot! Also thank you for the history about Peace Park. You did your research, too. Congrats are certainly in order! Quote
Guest Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 A free drink for the one who guesses my favourite guy!!Based on number of appearances, it must be the guy in the red & white trunks? I like the cheeky pose where he's bending forward slightly. Thank you for posting the photos! Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Saturday 28th: Part 3 By the time the Parade returns to the Main Square after almost 3 hours, it’s starting to get cool. There is a secondary march through the main gay areas starting an hour later, but I decided to call it a day - if for no other reason, I feel tired! Running around trying to get pics, gently forcing myself through the growing crowds of on-lookers to get ahead of the Parade, has taken its toll on my feet and legs! But it’s decision time again. Do I return to the hotel to soak in a bath for an hour and then head out again? Or just pop over to one of the saunas and relax there? I decide I don’t want a gay sauna experience tonight. Instead, I want to pop out of town to one of the two all-male hot springs. Having seen so much near naked flesh in the afternoon, I want to wallow in the sulphurous hot spring and just gaze at the sight of pure male nudity. There are dozens of hot springs to the east of the city, of which two are gay-ish men-only. Lots of gay guys go, but the taboo against homosexuality is still very strong in Taiwan and so this is not the place to go for hook-ups – unless you are really lucky. Besides, as in the bars, most guys tend go in groups and mix amongst themselves. When I enter at around 10:30 pm, I am amazed – literally. The place is absolutely packed – more than 100 guys walking around in all their glory with none of the inhibition that Thai guys show. After I disrobe, shower and wash, I sink into the warm water and look around in more detail. I estimate that 90% of the crowd is between 18 and 30, most in very good shape. Perhaps five are in their 30s, with just a handful of older ones. I am the oldest - by a very big margin. Yet, no-one gives a damn. The hot spring does have a tiny square-shaped sauna which is absolutely packed-body-to-body and where some hanky-panky inevitably takes place near the back. But this is no gay sauna, of which Taipei has several. It is just a wonderful way to relax and watch some of the loveliest eye candy Asia can offer. Jeez, I wish I could have smuggled in the camera! More pics from the Parade. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 Sunday 30th Left the hot spring just before 1:00 am as the crowd was beginning to thin out. The complex has a host of different spring areas plus quite a few small Japanese-style restaurants. So if you fancy some sushi or teppanyaki after your dip, they’re open all night. The receptionists speak no English, but if you have your hotel’s address in Chinese, they’ll call a cab for you. Mine took about 8 minutes to arrive. The 20 minute ride downtown cost less than US$10. By subway and taxi from town cost around US$4. Up very late today – by design. When in Taipei on a Sunday, I always meet a friend or friends for brunch at Dan Ryan’s opposite the new Indoor Arena. Am tempted by the blueberry pancakes, but the helpings are monstrous and so I opt for another cholesterol boost – eggs benedict with lots of trimmings. With Halloween being tomorrow the whole place is decked out, including the cute waiters – and most of the customers. Oh dear! More eye candy as they all see to be twenty-somethings! We seem to be the only ones looking normal! We note that the Taipei Times estimates over 30,000 attended the Parade. I’m glad I was one. I’ll be back again next year - for sure! Quote
Rogie Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 A free drink for the one who guesses my favourite guy!! Based on number of appearances, it must be the guy in the red & white trunks? I would've guess that guy too - was he flirting with you Fountainhall? ok, my alternative guess is the guy in lime green speedos who appears in 3 pics and he's got black paint under his eyes and multi-coloured on his (facial) cheeks. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Sorry, guys. The competition was a bit unfair as it was not meant be based on number of times someone appeared in the pics - merely a guess. So, z909 and Rogie, I’ll buy the drinks when we meet because you took part, even though it was none of the guys you suggested. So, who’s my dream boy? In the first batch, I really love the Black Angel in pics 13 and 14. Oddly I did not see him at the start of the Parade. He must have moved forward near the very end. But then I also really like the boy in the dark glasses and white/blue Arena trunks with his cell phone protruding - 4th from the end. At the request of one of our prominent members, I am attaching one last batch of photos. In this, I adore the one in several pics - but perhaps you can see him best in his Aqux trunks on the left of the small group in the 2nd from the end (although I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to the one in the middle, either! ). But my favourite is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the guys who does not come out in the photos nearly as cute as in real life. He’s the one on the right on the last photo below. That’s his bf with him and they were often walking hand-in-hand. Oddly I wouldn’t call him my “type”, but I was captivated by him – and he knew it from the number of pics I took – hehe! Last post on this subject of the Taipei Parade. Good news! I wrote to Hiro-san today suggesting it would be a good idea if the organisers could announce the 2012 date much further in advance. He replied that they’ve now decided it will ALWAYS be the last Saturday in October. So mark your calendars - Saturday 27 October 2012. Anyone want to join me there? Quote
Guest Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 Thanks for another fine set of photos. Please keep them coming! Never mind the competition, it's only a bit of fun. ALL of the guys you like are to my taste also. Additionally, I quite like the one in square blue trunks in the 4th & 5th photos from the end. He's very cute, but should shell out for some of those Aqux or Arena trunks. So mark your calendars - Saturday 27 October 2012. Anyone want to join me there? I want to go very much. However, going long haul from Europe, it has to fit in with my main holiday schedule. Quote
Rogie Posted November 1, 2011 Posted November 1, 2011 I agree Mr Aqux is pretty nice. And so is your favourite. I see he is wearing a sash on his upper arm and some guys have them round their necks - any idea what it signifies? It's too late for this year's parade, but how about next year, assuming you are happy to do all the 'hard work' Fountainhall, posting the pics and then taking a vote on various categories, rather like they do in some of the bars occasionally? Categories? How's this for starters . . . Winner Runner Up 3rd place Mr Popular Best hair Best costume Best smile To be fair, this kind of vote could be taken following any gay parade, it's not fair to assume Fountainhall can be everywhere at once (! ) so why not make it a habit? But we can't do it without photographers . . . any offers? Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Thanks for another fine set of photos. Please keep them coming! Unfortunately I think all the interesting ones have already been posted. I'll look through them again and post any more that I find, but probably only a handful at most. I see he is wearing a sash on his upper arm and some guys have them round their necks - any idea what it signifies? Sorry, no idea. I notice that a lot of the boys are carrying promo material given out by some of the gay shops in the city - e.g. the fans. I suspect the head and arm band may be the same, but it's a pretty poor marketing venture if you cannot make out what it is selling! It's too late for this year's parade, but how about next year, assuming you are happy to do all the 'hard work' Fountainhall, posting the pics and then taking a vote on various categories, rather like they do in some of the bars occasionally? I'll be delighted to be photographer-in-chief ! This year I obviously tended to focus more on the guys I liked. For a competition, I'd try to search out a greater variety of guys. Whilst the Parade lasted the better part of 3 hours, it's really amazing how fast the time goes. So you have to be quite nimble to flit though all the crowds. Perhaps the best way might be just for me to don a pair of Aqux and take part On the other hand, that would drag the tone of the event down very considerably, I fear As to General Categories, I suggest one for Participants and one for On-lookers, with a Winner and Runner-Up in each section - Participants Cutest participant (in low cut Speedo, Aqux etc.) Cutest Participant (in boxers) Cutest Smile Most Original Hair Do Most Beguiling 'Come Hither' look Most Original Body Adornments Most Original Mini Costume Most 'To Die For' Body (not confined to gym-fit) On-Lookers Cutest Face Best Smile Most Original Costume Most Original Face Adornment The main problem will be a requirement to cover so much ground. For obvious reasons, I was following the boys at the front. So I was unable to get more than a handful of pics of those behind, the ones with lots of original themes and costumes. To do the Parade justice, it probably needs minimum two photographers who can swap mid-way (so that one does not get all the cream ) To be fair, this kind of vote could be taken following any gay parade, it's not fair to assume Fountainhall can be everywhere at once (! ) so why not make it a habit? But we can't do it without photographers . . . any offers? I guess the question is: which ones have so many guys happy to strip off and don Aqux etc. rather than just marching in a variety of costumes? I only knew there even was one in Taipei when I happened to arrive in the city the day after the Parade two years ago and saw amazing photos on the front page of the newspapers. I do know that at least three other Taiwan cities now have their own Parades and assume they are roughly similar, although clearly they will be smaller. Singapore, KL and Manila have smaller versions, but I doubt if the first two have so much gorgeous flesh on display (do please correct me if I’m wrong), and I’m personally not crazy about visiting Manila. I saw on the web that Tokyo has just reinstated its annual Parade after a gap of a few years, but from the pics I have seen, unfortunately you can count the number of Speedos on one hand. If they’d just make it more like Taipei’s, I’d be there like a shot Parting Thought on the Competition Idea. Once we have selected our Winners, maybe we could ask the Taipei Pride organisation if we can have a special gaythailand prize-winners’ ceremony? I’ll volunteer to fly over to present the prizes – but only if the winners turn up in extremely revealing outfits – or, better still, no outfit at all :P Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Please keep them coming! Sorry, this is positively the last batch! Quote
Guest Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Thank you Fountainhall, excellent photography again! From the final batch, my favourites have to be the opening shot of a few "rears" plus the guy in the blue Arena trunks. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted November 3, 2011 Posted November 3, 2011 Blue Arena actually features prominently in 6 of the pics above - although 2 are just head shots. I agree he's cute, but not much of a "rear". I looked through all my pics again and see I do have one rear shot. So, just for you . . . Quote
Guest Posted November 3, 2011 Posted November 3, 2011 Blue Arena actually features prominently in 6 of the pics above Yes, but the Wednesday picture (post-1892-053763000 1320216282) is my favourite angle on Blue Arena. Quite shapely! Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 A few nice little stretch marks there Quote
TotallyOz Posted November 4, 2011 Posted November 4, 2011 FH, this is fantastic. I love all the photos and you really do make me want to spend a year on YOUR life! I have a thing for eyeglasses so many of your boys were a real turn on. Very college student looking. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed seeing these. I spent an hour just looking at them again and again! Thank you! Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 Thanks a lot, Michael. I am delighted you enjoyed the pics. As to the blog idea, it actually came from you and your adventures on your bike trip across Thailand. I thought it would flesh out the pics . Have you ever been to Taiwan? If not, we should make a trip next time you are back in this part of the world. I do think in general the guys there are amongst the nicest and most handsome in all Asia. Quote
TotallyOz Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 I have never had an interest in Taiwan until this thread. Now, I want to go. If your posts was to drum up business for the gay scene there it worked. I honestly did not expect it to be that open or out in public. I was happy to know this and look forward to a visit there! Quote
Guest Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 A Google Image search for "Gay Taipei Pride" also brings up some very nice photos, although at the moment they are almost entirely from previous years. For 2011, I've not yet seen anything which compares with the photos posted by Fountainhall. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted November 5, 2011 Posted November 5, 2011 I have found more articles in Google’s Asian site, but not many photos. In fact, the site with the most photos is the one in the Huffington Post! But the photographers seem to be have been covering the middle and back of the Parade rather than those at the front. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/10/31/taiwan-photos-from-the-lgbt-pride-parade-2011/ http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/111029/taiwan-gay-rights-pride-parade-taipei http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/10/30/2003517021 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/29/taiwan-gay-rights-parade-_n_1065566.html http://my.news.yahoo.com/thousands-march-taiwan-gay-rights-parade-073102017.html There’s a short article originated by Associated Press which appears in lots of international newspapers with just one photo. In this one from Philadelphia, as in some others, I am convinced this pic was taken last year – not last Saturday! http://www.edgephiladelphia.com/?126264 What I can not find are the articles and photos in the many Taiwan Chinese media outlets, for they had quite extensive coverage. One of the best articles about the Parade itself is from monstersandcritics.com. Whilst commenting on the discrimination which still exists on the island, it adds that this is much less so amongst the younger generation. It also stresses that this is a grass roots movement without commercial interests wrapped up in it. As I have said on a similar thread on GB's Board, I am convinced the lack of commercial involvement is one of the key reasons for the Taipei Parade's success. Most of Saturday's parade participants were under 30 years old. Gay rights activism still remains a largely grassroots endeavour, with non-profit and student groups leading the charge. At the National Taiwan University this year, students organized an entire week of gay pride activities, ranging from lectures to socials. 'Our school is very liberal,' said a 21-year-old student, who asked not to be named. 'At times, when individuals try to start anti-gay sentiment, they just get overwhelmed by outpourings of support and protest by the student majority.' Taiwan's tolerance draws others from the region. Ming Yue, 27, a Malaysian student at Yuan Ze University, said in his home country, sodomy is still a crime. He attended his first gay pride march in Taiwan five years ago. 'The gay community here is great. There are saunas, gay bars and even TV programmes for my friends and I to enjoy,' Ming said. http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1671940.php/Taiwan-holds-Asia-s-largest-gay-pride-parade Seems like I should offer myself as an official media photographer next year!! Quote
