It's a march for everyone, whatever their sexual orientation, says lesbian activist Yeo Wai-wai about the 2nd International Day Against Homophobia Hong Kong Parade, which takes place on Sunday.
Ms Yeo, 29, is keen to see as many as possible marching on a circular route in Causeway Bay next week. 'This is not a gay pride march,' she says, emphasising it is for anyone who believes in equal opportunities for all people, whatever their sexual orientation.
Legislator Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung will be guest of honour at the opening ceremony, but the office of Deputy Secretary of Home Affairs Stephen Fisher, who was also invited, will not attend.
Ms Yeo and other organisers - comprising 16 sexual-minority-friendly groups - also wanted the government's Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Unit to man a booth, but they wrote back saying they lacked the manpower but would send some pamphlets and souvenirs.
Ms Yeo grew up in Sha Tin and had her first girlfriend while studying journalism and communications at Chinese University. 'During my first year, I had five boyfriends, but each relationship was not very long and not very intimate. I started thinking about sexuality issues and took courses in them. After I had my first girlfriend, a fellow student a year younger than me, I felt I needed to tell my parents. It is difficult to lie to people you are very close to.'
While her mother was open-minded to Ms Yeo's lesbian friends, when it came to her own daughter, the news was a shock. Ms Yeo moved out to allow her parents to come to terms with the new reality, and their relationship improved.
In 2003, she founded the Proud of Lesbos group, which is affiliated to Rainbow of Hong Kong. She was photographed in the South China Morning Post dressed as a bridegroom to demonstrate against the lack of equal opportunities legislation for gay couples. 'My daytime job is at a design company accounts servicing department.
