Hong Kong would make financial gains from gay parade
Judging from what I have read in media reports, the attempt to revive Poor Man's Nightclub in Sheung Wan has not met expectations.
As many academics correctly pointed out, the legendary night market that flourished in the 1960s was a result of collective intelligence from the working class in a much less affluent Hong Kong.
But the Hong Kong we live in today is simply not the same as the city in which Poor Man's Nightclub flourished.
The government should abandon the mentality of sticking comfortably to well-beaten tracks and think about organising events that have not been tried before. One idea that I have is for a gay parade.
A number of cities already have one, the most successful being Sydney's Mardi Gras. A study conducted in 1994 found that the Mardi Gras had generated A$38 million (about HK$165 million) for the Australian economy. In 1998 celebrating its 20th anniversary it was estimated that the Mardi Gras brought A$99 million to Sydney. In 1996, Toronto's Pride '96 had large crowds and was so successful that major companies jumped at the chance of sponsoring the event the following year.
Most lesbians and gays do not raise children and so they are more willing to use some of their disposable income on luxuries and travel. If a gay parade was to be held in Hong Kong, it would certainly attract many high-spending lesbian and gay tourists. International brand names, having already tapped into the gay market, would also be interested in sponsoring the event.
The administration should seize a readily available economic opportunity that has benefited many major cities around the world.
REGGIE HO
Secretary
Horizons
