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Demonstrators call for a more open-minded society, outside a church in North Point in March 2016. Photo: David Wong
OpinionLetters

Hong Kong’s LGBT community needs to be celebrated, not pushed aside

LGBTQ
Letters
Letters
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Reading the news reports and comments in the Post on LGBT rights and same-sex marriage, I find that some people in Hong Kong, especially those of the older generation, are opposed to the gay community – they condemn the “abnormal” or “sick” behaviour of homosexuals, and ask them to seek medical treatment to “eradicate” this problem.

I believe we should look deeper into this issue, as it is crucially related to our rights and freedom of choice in Hong Kong.

I am not saying that we should support someone just because they are gay. But society at large ought to uphold basic human rights. I believe Hong Kong is a free city and awareness about safeguarding the human rights of the LGBT group is increasing here in some measure. However, nearly two decades into the 21st century, there may be more people in our city concerned about animal rights rather than the rights of minority groups. Isn’t that ironic?

We need to change our mindset and stop stigmatising those unlike us, or the polarisation in our society on several levels will be inexorable.

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Moreover, love is a subjective emotion. No one is able to control one’s affection for another, regardless of gender. Falling for someone of the same sex does not breach the law. The freedom to choose our partners is a right we are born with, and we should be able to be with or marry whomever we want.

We should not focus on the difference between the LGBT community and the rest of the population; instead, we should embrace and celebrate our differences. In this way, Hong Kong will be an inclusive and caring city with an enhanced reputation on the world stage. Let us be the change we want to see in the city.

Casey Chan, Tai Wai

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