Anthony Wong

Founder

“I’ve never thought about being a ‘gay icon.’ I don’t do what I do to be an icon.”

To me, coming out in public was just a small step, but to many others it might be a big one. I decided to take the step because there are still people in society who think [being gay] is an issue. I wanted to demystify it, and I wanted to use the simplest language to tell everyone on stage, once and for all.

I think my coming out has changed some people’s minds [towards the community]. I didn’t realize this small step could have such a big effect. I’m glad I made the decision to come out that night. For a public figure to walk on stage to tell everyone he’s gay… the impact is very different from people just assuming you’re gay.
“I’ve never thought about being a ‘gay icon.’ I don’t do what I do to be an icon.”

I founded BigLove Alliance in early 2013. Back then we were fighting for the legislation of the Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance (SODO), but the government decided it wasn’t urgent and they didn’t need to put it forward for public consultation. The government is condoning discrimination against sexual minorities.

That’s why a few of us decided to form BigLove Alliance, hoping to be a pressure group to push forward topics about sexual minorities and the LGBTI community.We are furious because this had been delayed for so many years already, and there is so much blatant discrimination happening out there in society.

Society has been moving forward. Back then our Pride parades were very small. But in the past few years, there have been a lot more people joining and they are no longer shy about it.

We’ve also started Pink Dot, and there are a lot more events for the LGBTI community in Hong Kong. People are not afraid to step out and show they are members of the LGBTI community—they may not be coming out on stage, but one or two decades ago people wouldn’t even want to participate in public events that would imply they were gay.

The most important thing is that there are non-LGBTI people willing to join us and participate in our events like Pink Dot and Pride Parade. We call them our straight allies.Research shows that society is very accepting towards the LGBTI community. Even on more specific issues such as same-sex marriage, support is very high amongst young people. You can tell society is changing, but the government has to take the lead and make laws to give sexual minorities the rights they deserve.

Hong Kong is in such a complicated state right now and it’s changing so quickly. I don’t know what will happen next year. But as long as we’re united, it will gradually get better.

PUBLISHED : Friday, 23 September, 2016, 3:42pm by SCMP

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