Letters | LGBT people have a voice, and Hong Kong is keen to listen: even if its leader won’t

It is clear Hongkongers increasingly accept same-sex relationships, and the only part that is controversial is the chief executive’s refusal to accept this

LGBTQ

Letters

Published: 6:45am, 26 Jul, 2021

Why you can trust SCMP

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor might not understand the meaning of a pluralistic society. It is a society where people’s values are appreciated, a society where two or more groups coexist with respect and friendship.

That she uses the word but then describes the LGBT community as “them” – saying “Hong Kong society does not have a consensus on giving them any legal status or further rights” – reveals her obliviousness to the reality of Hong Kong’s people.

Her time as chief executive has seen our home divided across a range of issues as she has failed time and again to listen to the mood of the people. Her tenure has been to the detriment of all Hong Kong people whose voices across a breadth of issues have been ignored by a leader who is incapable of listening.

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In a pluralistic society, diversity places a pronounced emphasis on aspects of dialogue with other positions. It incorporates values, it remains open and asks questions about meaning and understanding. It reminds and challenges us about where we go, what we do and why.

Hong Kong people have a voice, the LGBT community has a voice and it is clear Hongkongers increasingly accept same-sex relationships. The only part that is “very, very controversial” is our chief executive’s refusal to accept this.

Mark Peaker, The Peak