For Immediate Release
“To Love is Our Right”
Hong Kong’s International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) Event

In response to the world’s first International Day Against Homophobia, 16 gay and gay-friendly organizations have hosted an International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) rally in the busiest area of Hong Kong in Causeway Bay in a bid to raise awareness about the level of homophobia. With a theme “turning your fear into love”, the organizer hopes to promote respect and understanding and eliminate fear towards the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people) community as equal citizens of Hong Kong. The procession chanted slogans such as “eliminate homophobia, respect for diversity”.

Homophobia is defined as the irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals.

Legislator Leung Kwok-hung (“Long Hair”) was invited as the event’s guest speaker who supports anti-discrimination law, equal rights for same-sex couples, equal ages of consent and equal access to social welfare. Some family members came out at the event, supporting their gay child and sibling.

The rally finished with the singing of the theme song “To Love is Our Right” and the “Friendly Hug” action, denoting the overcoming of fear and the reaching-out of the community. The number of participants topped 350, far exceeding the planned 150.

Roddy Shaw, Chairperson of Civil Rights for Sexual Diversities, stressed that homophobia takes the form of unequal treatment in laws and policies towards the LGBT members of the society. He conceded that education about homosexuality and equality is important, however, it has to be complemented by legal reform to provide guarantees for equal right to the LGBT community and to stop the spread of homophobia.

Connie Chan of Women Coalition of Hong Kong worried about the prevalence of discrimination against lesbians which is considered a result of homophobia. She revealed that in the survey on the community, there was widespread violence, harassment, unfair dismissal towards LGBT people and “outing” gay students to parents by teachers.

The Hong Kong government is about to undertake a public survey on attitudes towards homosexuality which may be followed by a public consultation on measures to protect sexual minorities from discrimination, including legislative measures.

The Hong Kong event is joined by events in 17 places in the world, including the UK, France, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Kenya and Greece, to commemorate the first International Day Against Homophobia.

Organizers: Women Coalition of Hong Kong, Civil Rights for Sexual Diversities and Rainbow Action

Please contact Roddy Shaw (90944426) or Wai Wai (97116992) for any inquiries or click http://516.wchk.org/ for details.