Some 2,000 people marched in Hong Kong's gay pride parade on Saturday under the theme, "For queer, for love, for equality."
Some 2,000 people are said to have turned up the Hong Kong Pride Parade held last Saturday, according to media reports.
Organised by local gay and lesbian groups, the hour-long parade wound through the busy streets of Causeway Bay and Wanchai, to raise awareness about the LGBT community and call for the enactment of laws to ban discrimination against lesbians, gays and transgender people.
The theme of the parade was “For queer, for love, for equality”.
The first gay pride parade was held in 2008 although the territory had held three annual marches since 2005 to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). A parade was not held in 2010 as the event in 2009 incurred a loss of HK$77,000 (US$10,000).
It was a delight to see such a great turn out at the pride parade this year. However, I am ashamed to say that I have yet been able to attend a pride in Hong Kong, partly because there have not been that many, partly because I was never really here, but mainly because my parents took every steps necessary so as to hinder my support to the gay community in Hong Kong after my frank disclosure of my desire to be there. I was grounded on Saturday.
Don’t get me wrong, I am out to my parents and they were supportive and homo-friendly. But being in Hong Kong, they were reluctant to let me attend this year’s pride because of the possibility that I might be photographed by the papers or someone might know someone who might work with someone who knows the family. While I respect their concern, I cannot help but condemn their selfish behaviour, and that made me wonder, perhaps a lot of gay people in Hong Kong are faced with the same problem, or worse.
Coming from the UK, I thank what the gay community has done for us for the past several decades: the decriminalisation, an equal age of consent, civil partnership, the repealing of section 28, etc. and generally making it a more pleasant place for us. Hong Kong, with regret, is a bit backwards in that regard: the absence of legal recognition of gay couples, lack of protection against discrimination, hidden gay bars etc, even a protest was stopped by police in May earlier this year. Isn’t it now the time for us twenty-something (or I believe we are colloquially referred to as Post-80s) to do something for ourselves and those who are gay but not out yet?
It was particularly hopeful to see the Interbank LGBT Forum at the parade. In a materialistic city like Hong Kong, gay people would be more accepted if gay professionals can step forward and show the people of Hong Kong that we have no difference in terms of talent, education or ability with our heterosexual counterpart.
In my vain hope, perhaps us Post-80s can sacrifice a bit of our Sing K or photo-taking time and show our support for our community or instead of buying that gucci wallet or garcons t-shirt! Spare a little cash! Donate it to our community! Make next year’s pride a bigger success.
For those of you who took part in such an altruistic event last week, I salute you!
Speaking of stories that it's perhaps curious that Fridaae hasn't reported on, I'm also most curious about how Fridae has managed to avoid Not covering the very public spat about THIS very website, as visible for some time now via the old Fridae.com link.
When a website's founder leaves a website, but puts up a page blasting the website's current management - That's News, and every day that passes with Fridae.asia refusing to acknowledge the claims made via That page has certainly caught my attention.
And I'm watching to see what happens - Fridae, are you noting what many are presumably wondering about?
[True, this isn't relevant to This topic - then again, Fridae.asia - ie this website - don't seem willing to cover or report on an attack on the very integrity of this site, so This kind of commentary has to go Somewhere...]
What is the big deal ? The population of Hong Kong as of November 15th 2011 is approximately 6,991,833.If you go by the "10% factor" that seems to be pretty accurate globally then a turnout of close to 700,000 would be truly newsworthy. A turnout of over 2000 is a token response and will amount to nothing in the fight for gay equality.
Comment #8 was deleted by its author on 2011-11-18 08:17
I have to disagree with #7. To the 2000 who participated, I'd guess it was a very big deal. They showed those who were not in attendance that visibility is necessary. The turnout will continue to grow. It always does. Cheers to all of you LGBT Hong Kongers :)
Totally agree with # 8 comments.The News and Features section has lost it's pizazz and is out of the loop on many LGBT issues.I suggest they take a hint from OUT Magazine or The Advocates websites which post current real LGBT news that is relevant.
Re:#9 comments yes cheers to the 2000+ that did participate but that is not the real issue.The turnout will grow..........???? Check previous years numbers and then let's have a discussion.
There is a difference between interest and commitment.When a person or group are interested in doing something they do it only when it is convenient.When a person or a group are committed to doing something they accept no excuses only results.
The comment from this article says it all." A parade was not held in 2010 as the event in 2009 incurred a loss of HK$77,000 (US$10,000)." Since when does a parade need to turn a profit?If that is the ultimate goal then it's not a cause it's a business.
Bobochan88, you wrote: '"A parade was not held in 2010 as the event in 2009 incurred a loss of HK$77,000 (US$10,000)." Since when does a parade need to turn a profit? If that is the ultimate goal then it's not a cause it's a business.'
A parade doesn't need to be profitable but it needs to be sustainable.
In answer to # 13.I did not write I quoted from the article in discussion.
Sustainability is the capacity to endure so I am not sure what your point is.Having lived in HK for 20+ years I am very aware of the funds that are available within the velvet mafia community as well as the straight community .Having the funds is very different than contributing the funds.Most of the HK community, both gay and straight, do not want to dig into their pockets for a cause they may believe( in theory) but do not want to be associated with publicly.So to repeat:
There is a difference between interest and commitment.When a person or group are interested in doing something they do it only when it is convenient.When a person or a group are committed to doing something they accept no excuses only results.
With all due respect to #14 great so he marched down the street which by morning everyone forgot.Fighting for what you truly believe is a 24-7 job not just flag waving for a few hours once a year.
#15, you asked "when does a parade need to turn a profit?"
what I'm saying is that such community events don't need to be profitable but they need proper budgeting and adequate funding for it to go on in subsequent years.
A great leap forward in our society. Aristoophanes said that mankind was originally in form of man-and-man, woman-and-woman and man-and-woman. Expecting somedays everyone can realize this in a harmonic world.
A great leap forward in our society. Aristophanes said that mankind was originally in form of man-and-man, woman-and-woman and man-and-woman. Expecting somedays everyone can realize this in a harmonic world.
Like post #5, I am STAGGERED that there has been no mention - before or after the event - of the Taipei Gay Parade on this site. It was a fantastic Day and is by far the largest Gay Pride Parade in Asia - yet fridae chooses to neglect it. Why? I took many dozens of photos and all my friends want to visit for the Parade next year. For information, the Pride PR people told me that it will in future always be held on the last Saturday in October.
Post #5, #22 and #23: Regarding this website's absence of coverage for Taipei Pride...is it just me, or are news now focused extensively on former British colonies? HK, Singapore, heck even Muslim-majority Malaysia gets higher coverage than their equally Muslim Indonesian counterparts. Unlike HK, Taiwan was not a former English-speaking British colony. Hmm....I think I'd better RUN!!!!
They did have an article on 10/28 so I will give credit where credit is due.But to not cover Taiwan gay pride which had 50,000+ attending makes no sense at all.There is plenty of coverage on FB however so that is comforting.
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Don’t get me wrong, I am out to my parents and they were supportive and homo-friendly. But being in Hong Kong, they were reluctant to let me attend this year’s pride because of the possibility that I might be photographed by the papers or someone might know someone who might work with someone who knows the family. While I respect their concern, I cannot help but condemn their selfish behaviour, and that made me wonder, perhaps a lot of gay people in Hong Kong are faced with the same problem, or worse.
Coming from the UK, I thank what the gay community has done for us for the past several decades: the decriminalisation, an equal age of consent, civil partnership, the repealing of section 28, etc. and generally making it a more pleasant place for us. Hong Kong, with regret, is a bit backwards in that regard: the absence of legal recognition of gay couples, lack of protection against discrimination, hidden gay bars etc, even a protest was stopped by police in May earlier this year. Isn’t it now the time for us twenty-something (or I believe we are colloquially referred to as Post-80s) to do something for ourselves and those who are gay but not out yet?
It was particularly hopeful to see the Interbank LGBT Forum at the parade. In a materialistic city like Hong Kong, gay people would be more accepted if gay professionals can step forward and show the people of Hong Kong that we have no difference in terms of talent, education or ability with our heterosexual counterpart.
In my vain hope, perhaps us Post-80s can sacrifice a bit of our Sing K or photo-taking time and show our support for our community or instead of buying that gucci wallet or garcons t-shirt! Spare a little cash! Donate it to our community! Make next year’s pride a bigger success.
For those of you who took part in such an altruistic event last week, I salute you!
When a website's founder leaves a website, but puts up a page blasting the website's current management - That's News, and every day that passes with Fridae.asia refusing to acknowledge the claims made via That page has certainly caught my attention.
And I'm watching to see what happens - Fridae, are you noting what many are presumably wondering about?
[True, this isn't relevant to This topic - then again, Fridae.asia - ie this website - don't seem willing to cover or report on an attack on the very integrity of this site, so This kind of commentary has to go Somewhere...]
There is a difference between interest and commitment.When a person or group are interested in doing something they do it only when it is convenient.When a person or a group are committed to doing something they accept no excuses only results.
The comment from this article says it all." A parade was not held in 2010 as the event in 2009 incurred a loss of HK$77,000 (US$10,000)." Since when does a parade need to turn a profit?If that is the ultimate goal then it's not a cause it's a business.
A parade doesn't need to be profitable but it needs to be sustainable.
Sustainability is the capacity to endure so I am not sure what your point is.Having lived in HK for 20+ years I am very aware of the funds that are available within the velvet mafia community as well as the straight community .Having the funds is very different than contributing the funds.Most of the HK community, both gay and straight, do not want to dig into their pockets for a cause they may believe( in theory) but do not want to be associated with publicly.So to repeat:
There is a difference between interest and commitment.When a person or group are interested in doing something they do it only when it is convenient.When a person or a group are committed to doing something they accept no excuses only results.
With all due respect to #14 great so he marched down the street which by morning everyone forgot.Fighting for what you truly believe is a 24-7 job not just flag waving for a few hours once a year.
what I'm saying is that such community events don't need to be profitable but they need proper budgeting and adequate funding for it to go on in subsequent years.
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