Gay taskforce moves on with electoral strategy
Hong Kong's gay community is mobilising in unprecedented numbers for the Legislative Council elections.
A taskforce representing at least a dozen groups yesterday forged ahead with setting up a website and researching the candidates.
A Tongzhi Coalition Joint Meeting (TCJM) has finalised strategy to identify candidates sympathetic to gay-related issues for potential endorsement.
'It is important the interests of the Tongzhi community in Hong Kong are represented in Legco,' said TCJM member and taskforce co-ordinator Roddy Shaw Kwok-wah.
The outcome of the election will help determine the fate of a crucial debate over gay rights, as well as the direction of debate in a number of key areas, including taxation, health and housing.
Of primary concern is a discrimination ordinance covering sexual orientation.
Mr Shaw, who with TCJM convenor Anthony Yeung Ki-man is co-ordinating five teams, said the website, at election.cr4sd.org, should be launched late next week.
He said: 'Tasks have been assigned to about 20 people so far, and we're getting more volunteers every day - we've never seen a turnout like this before.'
Candidates will be asked their position on sexual orientation discrimination, age-of-consent laws - currently 21 for homosexuals and 16 for heterosexuals - and same-sex marriage.
