Pink Friday first began in 2014 when a group of Goldman Sachs Hong Kong employees wore pink T-shirts to show their support of an LGBTQ-inclusive work environment. In the following years it expanded across other divisions and offices across Asia Pacific, then into Europe, India and for the first time last year, North America.
In 2019, 60 organizations in Hong Kong participated in the inaugural multi-industry event, and in 2022 it expanded to over 100 organizations in Asia Pacific. This annual event brings together companies that are passionate about diversity and have worked hard to promote inclusive work environments in in Asia Pacific. This November the event counts on the support of 113 different organizations and businesses — we wish to see the number of supporters grow year after year!
This November at Hugill & Ip we celebrate Pink Friday with a review of recent legal cases that open the way to enhanced civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community in Hong Kong. In recent years, Hong Kong has indeed witnessed some progress in advancing LGBTQ+ rights through legal challenges brought to court by several brave individuals. Moreover, recent polls and studies show that the territory’s inclusivity and acceptance has grown further. While there is still work to be done, significant strides have been made towards promoting equality and respect for the LGBTQ+ community. Today we celebrate the event with both internal and external participation of several individuals who champion the fight for achieving equal rights.
Jerome Yau of Hong Kong Marriage Equality reiterated the organization’s purpose of implementing strategies to achieve marriage equality and grow public support for same-sex couples and their families in Hong Kong. As momentum for marriage equality builds across Asia, winning marriage for same-sex couples in Hong Kong is now within reach, and Hong Kong Marriage Equality is a platform that provides the roadmap to achieve it.
Hugill & Ip’s Family and Private Client teams highlighted a few recent landmark cases that reinforced the need of changes in legislation to eliminate discrimination at all levels. They also talked about legal restrictions related to adoption rights.
Azan Marwah of Pantheon Chambers discussed why is essential to bring and support legal challenges against discriminatory and unjust policies and practices. He also discussed the importance and the significance of recent court cases.
Henry Li walked everyone through a number of court proceedings related to inheritance and housing rights that personally impacted him and his late husband Edgar Ng. Their personal experience is not only admirable but also an example of brave individuals challenging the status quo in Hong Kong and allow the extension of rights to the whole LGBTQ+ community.
This year Pink Friday becomes even more important as it follows Gay Games, a global sport event co-hosted in Hong Kong and Guadalajara, Mexico. The Games were first held in San Francisco in 1982 and have grown to become one of the largest global events of their kind: they bring people together to experience unforgettable moments of joy through a unique combination of sport, community and culture. It is the first time that this event is held in Asia and Latin America. The goal of the Games is to emancipate LGBTQ+ people around the world by educating people through sport, arts & culture events — in a spirit of better understanding. Gay Games 2023 kicked off on 3 November and the closing ceremony will be held on 11 November, the day after this year’s Pink Friday.
The gradual dismantling of discriminatory laws, the introduction of protective legislation, the growing visibility of the LGBTQ+ community and the establishment of sport and cultural events can all contribute to a more inclusive society. As Hong Kong continues to evolve, it is heartening to witness the embrace of diversity and the ongoing journey towards true equality for all – Pink Friday is one of many occasions to celebrate this and to remind everyone that the fight for full rights needs to continue!
