Mayor of my hometown meet mayors of major cities at gay events

Why do I have to read this in American news outlet?

Ma, who is not gay, said that the search for LGBT civil rights in the Taiwanese capital brought him and the city closer to other world capitals.

"Two years ago, I went to the Love Parade in Berlin. The mayor there, Klaus Wowereit is gay. He wasn't going to see me, but I got to talk to him for 10 minutes at the parade. Also, this year in San Francisco, I met mayor Gavin Newsom. We talked about gay issues and municipal Wi-Fi."

Newsom sent a congratulatory statement that was read at the flag raising marking the official start of pride celebrations in Taipei.

I honestly think it's an interesting strategy for politicians to know people.