Hong Kong will see a great mix of events for May 17, 2014

Hong Kong is set to see a great variety of actions around the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2014.

To mark IDAHOT in Hong Kong various groups (Pink Alliance, Pink Season 粉紅天, Amnesty International Hong Kong 國際特赦組織香港, and the 跨性別資源中心 Transgender Resource Center – TGR) will be coming together to present an ‘IDAHOT Event Series’.
Campaign Launch: April 5th via Press Release and participation in ‘Operation I’ Diversity Youth Conference by Rein Beau Group, Sha Tin College
The series will consist of the following events:
1. Les Peches Fundraising Night, Part put on by Les Peches Lesbian Group
2. Social Media Campaign: #RainbowLaces Launching April 5th (at ‘Operation I’). The campaign is designed for children and youth and was launched with the ‘Rein Beau’ student advocacy group at a local school
3. Active Transgender Awareness Session May 14th, hosted by Standard Chartered Bank (Please note this event will be by invitation only, but please contact them if you are interested)
4. Candlelight Vigil, Friday May 16th , Chater Gardens, 6.30pm -­ 8.30pm; Geena Rocero who is an amazing model and transgender activist and who recently rose to fame bravely sharing her TEDTalk to a standing ovation, will be the very special guest at the Vigil and will speak out on the need for expanded legal rights for all trans individuals living in Hong Kong. Dr York Chow, the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission will also attend the event and deliver a speech.
The event will start the screening of a series of short videos representing the challenges that LGBT individuals face in Hong Kong and the world including videos from a series produced in Hong Kong titles I AM ME.
Two MCs including Abby Lee, the renowned local lesbian activist and Reggie Ho the former chairperson of the Pink Alliance will discuss IDAHOT international theme – Freedom of Expression – and local theme:’Make the invisible – Visible They will also explain to the audience that the rainbow laces given to them can be used for the #RainbowLaces social media campaign sponsored by ANZ Bank titled: Express yourself, express your rights, express you support.
The ceremony will continue will the introduction of a series of short panel discussions around the following themes: LGBT in the Media, LGBT Stigma, LGBT Youth and Bullying and LGBT in the Workplace.
Acclaimed local LGBT entertainers Penny Salcedo and Rick Lau will perform at the event with the songs, ‘Reach for the Stars’ and ‘I am What I am,’ respectively.
The event will end by the audience lighting up candles in remembrance of the victims of homophobia, transphobia in Hong Kong and around the world.
5. IDAHOT HK Community Picnic , Sunday May 18th , 3pm at Cyberport Waterfront Park
With the series of events above, our friends in Hong Koing aims to be “Making the Invisible, visible!” by increasing the awareness of homophobia and transphobia existing in Hong Kong, making the connection to global homophobia and transphobia issues for solidarity and human rights actions, as well as promoting and empowering LGB and ally community to be ‘Transgender Allies.’
IDAHOT Hong Kong committee and partners have already kicked off their social media campaign. You can get live updates via @IDAHOTHK on Twitter or their Facebook page. You can also join them as a volunteer by joining their community & volunteer group.

Another great event will be organised by Gay Harmony, Women Coalition of HKSAR and Rainbow Action

The event is a street exhibition showing the discrimination that LGBT people are facing internationally and locally. The organisers would like to raise the awareness of the suffering of LGBT people, in order to fight for anti-discrimination legislation of sexual orientation. The event will be held on the streets of Hong Kong on May 17, 2014, with theme of “fight against discrimination, way to legislation”. There will be a rally with installations and art performances, showing the pedestrians the experience of LGBT people. The organisers also organised a Domino down, building a legislative Rainbow Road where over 400 domino bricks, as a symbol of discrimination, will be pulled down to show the six-color rainbow as a symbol of equality.

Beat off discrimination!
Fight for legislation!
Let’s make a change in 3 years!
Walking through the darkest tunnel brings you to the place full of discrimination. Can you imagine people being killed or put to jail just because of homosexuality?
Support LGBT. Support Anti-discrimination Legislation.
SHOW UP and show your support on May 17!!

The event will take place on May 17 at 2pm until 5pm at the Great George Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
For more details about the IDAHOT in Hong Kong please check the website or the Facebook page.
Sneak peak at the preparations for #rainbowlaces: