Tens of thousands gather in Taiwan for gay pride parade

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Taiwan's capital on Saturday for the city's annual gay pride parade ahead of referendums next month that will determine whether same-sex marriages will be recognized on the island.

In a first for Asia, Taiwan's Constitutional Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in May 2017, punctuating a yearslong campaign by advocates for gay rights in one of the continent's most liberal democracies. Authorities were given two years to either enact or amend relevant laws, failing which same-sex couples could have their marriages recognized by submitting a written document.

But little progress has been made toward implementing the court's ruling. Meanwhile, gay rights and anti-gay rights campaigners have organized referendums that will take place alongside Nov. 24 local elections.

A participant carries the rainbow flag during the annual gay and lesbian parade, organized by Taiwan LGBT Pride, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)

Organizers estimated that 130,000 people took part in Saturday's parade in Taipei, the biggest annual gay pride march in Asia.

Wang Zi, a 35-year-old from Beijing, said he supports Taiwan for being a pioneer in gender equality and same-sex marriage in Asia.

"There should not be boundaries when it comes to love and sex," Wang said. "I am supporting this. Although I cannot take part in this (referendum), I will support Taiwan with all my might. Go Taiwan! Go marriage equality!"

A costumed participant poses on a street during the annual gay and lesbian parade, organized by Taiwan LGBT Pride, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)

A participant poses on a street during the annual gay and lesbian parade, organized by Taiwan LGBT Pride, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)

Participants revel on a street during the annual gay and lesbian parade, organized by Taiwan LGBT Pride, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)

Participants revel on a street during the annual gay and lesbian parade, organized by Taiwan LGBT Pride, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)

Participants revel on a street during the annual gay and lesbian parade, organized by Taiwan LGBT Pride, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)

Participants march on a street during the annual gay and lesbian parade, organized by Taiwan LGBT Pride, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)

Costumed participants pose on a street during the annual gay and lesbian parade, organized by Taiwan LGBT Pride, in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has for now denied the A's request to trademark the names “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics.”

The club, which intends to move to Nevada in 2028, has three months from when the refusals were issued Dec. 29 to ask for an extension to file a new application within a six-month period.

The A's were told the nickname “Athletics” was too generic and could be confused with other activities even if associated with Las Vegas.

That, however, has been the club's nickname since the Philadelphia Athletics began playing in 1901. The A's kept the nickname when they moved to Kansas City in 1955 and Oakland in 1968.

The Patent and Trademark Office denied the NHL's Utah team to use the nickname “Yetis” on Jan. 9 because of potential confusion with companies such as Yeti Coolers. Utah, which moved from the Phoenix area in 2024, now uses the nickname “Mammoth.”

The A's relocated to West Sacramento, California, last year to play the first of three planned seasons in the city's Triple-A ballpark. The team is going solely by “Athletics” while playing in the Northern California city.

A $2 billion, 33,000-capacity stadium on the Las Vegas Strip is under construction. Club officials told the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on Dec. 4 that the ballpark is on schedule to open in time for the 2028 season.

Nevada and Clark County have approved up to $380 million in public funds for the ballpark, and the A’s have said they will cover the remaining expenses. Owner John Fisher has been seeking investors to assist in the funding.

In preparing for the move to Las Vegas, the A's have signed some notable contracts. The most recent was an $86 million, seven-year deal for left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, the richest in team history. Soderstrom signed his contract Dec. 30 at the A's Experience Center in Las Vegas.

The A's acquired second baseman Jeff McNeil from the New York Mets on Dec. 22.

Going back to last offseason, the A's also reached agreements on a $60 million, five-year contract with designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and a $65.5 million, seven-year deal with outfielder Lawrence Butler. Manager Mark Kotsay signed an extension that takes him through 2028 with a club option for 2029.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

FILE - Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom sprints towards first after hitting an RBI double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sept. 23, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall, File)