By Nina Huang
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Taiwan brought a colorful celebration of culture, identity, and LGBTQ+ inclusion to the streets of Seattle on Sunday, June 29, as the Taiwan Tourism Administration debuted a Taiwan-themed float in the 2026 Seattle Pride Parade.
Under the banner, “Rainbow Bridge—Taiwan x Seattle: A Connection of Love & Freedom,” Taiwan’s delegation invited parade-goers to see the island not only as a travel destination, but as a place where diversity and equality are celebrated year-round.
The float reflected this year’s Seattle Pride theme, “It Is Time to Rally,” with rainbow displays, Taiwanese flags, T-POP (Taiwanese pop) music, bubble machines, and a towering replica of Taipei 101 designed to symbolize a bridge of love and freedom connecting Seattle and Taipei.
Leading the celebration was Taiwanese drag performer Felicia Oh, whose custom bubble tea-inspired costume quickly became one of the parade’s most recognizable looks.
“My parade outfit is a love letter to Taiwanese culture,” Oh said. “This little island we call home is not only known for producing semiconductors, but it’s also the birthplace of bubble tea.”
Designed in the silhouette of a bubble tea cup and adorned with oversized sequined boba pearls, the costume was created in collaboration with a designer to celebrate one of Taiwan’s most recognizable cultural exports.
Oh’s costume also evoked the playful, Taiwan-inspired fashion that has gained international attention through fellow Taiwanese drag artist Nymphia Wind, who famously wore a bubble tea-themed look during her winning run on RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2024. Nymphia became the first East Asian winner of the flagship American series, helping bring greater global visibility to Taiwanese drag and pop culture.
For Oh, representing Taiwan during Pride Month carried special significance.
“To be able to represent Taiwan at this year’s Seattle Pride is such an honor for me,” she said.
“As drag artists, we don’t always get the opportunity to be seen outside of bars and clubs, so it’s great to see the art of drag on bigger stages where everyone can enjoy.”
Born and raised in Taipei, Oh immigrated to the United States at age 9 and now lives in New York City. She began performing in drag during the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching herself makeup techniques through online tutorials and countless episodes of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
“I found community and connection by exploring my drag identity,” she said. “Slowly but surely,
I gained confidence in myself over time and discovered more about myself and my identity—both in and out of drag.”
Today, that identity is inseparable from her Taiwanese heritage.
“There are not a lot of Taiwanese drag artists in the States,” she said. “It’s my mission to showcase the beauty of Taiwan through my drag on as many stages as possible.”
She said she hoped her appearance at Seattle Pride would resonate with the city’s Taiwanese LGBTQ+ community.
“The queer Taiwanese community in Seattle is so vibrant,” Oh said. “I hope my presence at the parade this year will make them feel seen and bring our community together this Pride.”
Taiwan’s participation in Seattle Pride also reflects its growing reputation as one of Asia’s most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations.
In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, cementing its role as a regional leader in LGBTQ+ rights. Through its sponsorship of Seattle Pride, the Taiwan Tourism Administration sought to highlight those shared values while encouraging visitors to experience Taiwan Pride in Taipei, one of Asia’s largest Pride celebrations, scheduled this year for Oct. 31.
“Seattle Pride’s theme, ‘It Is Time to Rally,’ not only serves as a call for the LGBTQIA+ community to unite, but also reflects Taiwan’s long-standing commitment to freedom, diversity, and equality,” said Szu-Hsien (Sylvia) Lee, director of the Taiwan Tourism Administration’s San Francisco Office, in a statement.
Lee said Taiwan hopes visitors will experience not only the island’s Pride celebrations, but also its hospitality, cuisine, culture, and natural beauty.
Throughout the parade, volunteers distributed Taiwan Pride flags while T-POP music played from the float, inviting spectators into what organizers described as Taiwan’s “rainbow family.” The campaign concluded with the message: “The Party Continues in Taipei,” encouraging travelers from Seattle and across the Pacific Northwest to visit Taiwan for this fall’s Pride festivities.
Oh echoed that invitation.
“I would like to invite everyone to visit Taiwan if you ever get the chance,” she said. “You will meet some of the most compassionate and welcoming people ever. As the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, Taiwan is a safe haven for LGBTQ+ folks and should definitely be at the top of your travel list.”
Nina can be reached at newstips@nwasianweekly.com.
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