To mark LGBT Pride Month, we spoke with Gigi Chao, daughter of Hong Kong real estate tycoon Cecil Chao and unofficial spokesperson of the LGBT community, to find out how we can support marriage equality rights
Last month, Gigi Chao—successful businesswoman, avid aviator, active philanthropist and advocate of LGBT rights—officially launched Hong Kong Marriage Equality (HKME), a community-focused, non-partisan social campaign with the goal of achieving marriage equality for same-sex couples in Hong Kong.
"There’s not a lot of in-your-face discrimination in Hong Kong, so that leads to a seen-but-not-heard situation in some families," she told us at our LGTB roundtable last year. To mark LGBT Pride Month, we asked Gigi why marriage equality is important to change the conversation in Hong Kong:
Besides yourself, who is on the steering committee for Hong Kong Marriage Equality?
The steering committee comprises activists, allies, professionals, and business leaders. Notable members include lawyer Azan Marwah, well-known LGBT activist Billy Leung, academic Suen Yiu-tung, and business leader Fern Ngai.
How do you feel Hong Kong as a city will benefit from equal marriage rights?
Hong Kong’s competitive edge will be further enhanced with marriage equality because it tells the world that the city is inclusive and embraces family diversity. This will make Hong Kong more attractive to global talent, for many years the powerhouse behind our city's history of phenomenal growth.
See also: Heli-hiking in New Zealand With Gigi Chao
