Some dark clouds still linger over Hong Kong for Rainbow Action founder Tommy Chen

As group nears its 20th anniversary, much has changed for the city’s small but significant LGBT population but there is still a long way to go, says Tommy Chen

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Tommy Chen became determined to challenge negative stereotypes of LGBT people in society. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 4:31pm, 13 Jan 2018Updated: 4:31pm, 13 Jan 2018

Veteran gay rights campaigner Tommy Chen claims to have founded the “first LGBT community centre in Asia” while fresh out of university in 1998. Now, as Rainbow Action Hong Kong nears its 20th anniversary, much has changed for Hong Kong’s small but significant LGBT population.

“Discrimination against LGBT people was very serious, especially 20 years ago. In the news, there was no coverage of LGBT topics outside HIV and cruising in public toilets,” Chen says.

As a result, Chen became determined to challenge negative stereotypes of LGBT people in society. After setting up Rainbow Action with two close friends, the three activists decided to come out publicly to the media – a remarkable move at the time.

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“We got quite a lot of positive coverage since we were very young and brave to come out publicly,” Chen says.

An annual Gay Pride Parade is held in Hong Kong. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Soon after, Rainbow Action started receiving calls from LGBT people wishing to connect with others and receive support. A small community quickly started to flourish.

Over the years, the charity has helped sexual minorities in Hong Kong in a variety of ways, including providing legal support services, HIV services and even offering its tiny Jordan office space as a temporary shelter for LGBT people with nowhere else to go.