No rainbows: with lukewarm response to Gay Games, Hong Kong government reveals true colours
Luisa Tam says while authorities toot their horn about multiculturalism, diversity is only championed when they feel it benefits city’s image
Hong Kong is seriously pathetic when it comes to diversity and the government is to blame for the stunted growth of true diversity.
Want some proof? Look no further than the recent lukewarm reaction from our government to the city’s successful bid to host the 2022 “Gay Olympics”. This is a landmark victory for Hong Kong because it will make us the first Asian city ever to host this international event since its inception in 1982.
If our competitors had won, no doubt they would have burst with joy. But here in Hong Kong, the only reaction from the government was that they had “noted” the outcome.
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It goes to show that officials pay lip service when it comes to supporting the city as a diverse and inclusive society. They only boast about how multicultural the community is or take pride in identifying Hong Kong as “Asia’s world city”, but they take no action to nurture and support diversity in all forms.
Diversity is about valuing differences in gender, ethnicity, language, culture, lifestyle and sexuality. Fundamentally speaking, it is about equality and respect for all human beings. It’s certainly not a platform on which to sell a city’s international image, or a commodity or a means to an unjustified end.
Embracing the Gay Games is just one way to demonstrate Hong Kong is a place that values talent, regardless of different backgrounds, cultures and lifestyles. And most importantly, it speaks volumes about the city’s character and its values.
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Every city in the world should cherish differences, allow people the freedom to make choices in life and encourage understanding of social behaviours and attitudes that are not mainstream. Hong Kong, which prides itself on being an open, international city, should set such an example and do it loudly and proudly.