Model in Cathay Pacific’s banned same-sex advert proud of his role and says big firms may have misjudged Hong Kong public’s attitude to sexual orientation
- Howard Chan, 38, said he was shocked Hong Kong companies could not accommodate such a subtle message
- City’s airport and rail giant MTR did a U-turn on ban after rush of support from public
Big companies appear to have underestimated Hongkongers’ openness to sexual orientation, according to one of the models in Cathay Pacific’s banned advert featuring two men holding hands on a beach.
“I am quite happy that after news of the ban came out, the public reacted quite fast and positively to the commercial and I felt many people supported it,” Howard Chan Ho-wan, who appeared in the advert, said on Tuesday.
Chan, 38, said he was shocked that some Hong Kong companies could not accommodate such a subtle message, urging more positive changes.
“It’s very subtle. We’re not naked, we’re not kissing each other or making out,” said Chan, who stands on the right in the advert. “We’re holding hands, wearing suits on a very beautiful beach. And our faces are not shown. [The two companies’ reaction] quite surprised me.”