QUARTERLY
PINK PAPER 粉紅 報 季刊
MARCH – MAY 2020
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4 NEWS BRIEFS The latest in LGBTQ+ news
5 INCREASING SUPPORT FOR EQUALITY New survey indicates strong support for LGBT+ equality
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6 IMPROVING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH Being Non-judgmental
7 EXTREME HIKING Hiking, Climbing and Coasteering with Reggie Ho
9 HEALTHY FOODS TO EAT EVERYDAY Diet? What diet?
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10 FITNESS FUN WITH GROUP EXERCISE A talk with Group Exercise Instructor Nelson Bracamonte Jr.
11 THE GREAT OUTDOORS All about the Out in HK outdoor group with Dennis Philipse
13 GAY GAMES Preparing Hong Kong for the LGBT world competition in 2022
14 ORAL HISTORIES OF OLDER GAY MEN A talk with author Travis Kong about his enlightening book
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16 CHANGING HONG KONG CIINEMA Ray Yeung’s new film “Suk Suk” takes on Hong Kong
18 YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
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Introducing travel expert extraordinaire Graham Elsom 19 WELLNESS BREAKS IN BALI
Healing holiday on the island of the Gods.
20 FinS RETROSPECTIVE Part 2 of a series of retrospectives by former FinS Chief Dreamer Eric Herrera
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21 VANISHING LESBIAN BARS IN HK SCMP article discusses what’s going on with HK’s lesbian bars
22 LGBT+ COMMUNITY IN ACTION Latest happenings for our community
23 LGBT+ NIGHTLIFE HONG KONG-STYLE Best places for a night out on the town
P21 24 PINK ALLIANCE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
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Cheers, On the cover: Jason T
Stan Editor, Pink Paper PINK ALLIANCE
Thanks to: Nelson Bracamonte Jr, Travis Kong, Kevin Kreider, Ray Yeung, Jacqueline Ho, Dreamstime (Jason T), realsimple.com, scmp.com, the crew from Pexels.com (Magda Ehlersa, Ella Olsson), the crew from Unsplash (Omid Armin, Siavash Ghanbari, Megan TeBoehorst, Jeff Tumale)
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Vietnam Schools Accused of Teaching Young People “Being Gay is a Disease” Activists have called on the Vietnamese government to fulfil its pledges to protect LGBTQ+ rights. “Largely thanks to a vibrant civil society-led LGBT rights movement, social awareness and acceptance of sexual orientation and gender identity has increased greatly in recent years in Vietnam. However, the government’s actions, have so far not officially reflected these changes,” said Graeme Reid of HRW. “One result of the sluggish policy change is that social perceptions in many cases remain mired in outdated and incorrect frameworks – such as the widespread belief that same-sex attraction is a diagnosable mental health condition.” Verbal harassment of LGBTQ+ students is common in public and private schools, both rural and urban. “We need stronger steps from the government to tackle discrimination and create a safe and inclusive educational environment for our youth,” said director Ngo Le Phuong Linh of the ICS Centre, an advocacy rights group in Vietnam.
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Bowing to US Pressure Chinese Owner Sells Gay Dating App Grindr Beijing Kunlun Tech has agreed to sell gay dating app Grindr to comply with orders from the U.S. government, which deems Chinese ownership of the Los Angeles-based company a
national security risk. Kunlun's board has approved the salle of Grindr for $608 million to an American investment holding firm, the company said in a Friday regulatory filing. The Shenzhenlisted company had poured $245 million into acquiring the Los Angelesbased company, for which it had plans for an initial public offering.
Tokyo High Court Rules Same Sex Couple has Legal Protections as a Married Couple In an apparent first high court ruling of its kind, a same-sex common-law couple in Japan has been recognized as having the same legal protections as a married couple, after the Tokyo High Court ruled in favour of a woman who sued her former same-sex partner for damages over infidelity at an appeal decision on March 4. Presiding Judge Hitomi Akiyoshi said at the ruling at the Tokyo High Court, "It was a relationship equivalent to that in which a man and woman come together to lead their lives in cooperation as a married couple."
The claimant and the accused are both female, and lived together for about seven years. They obtained a marriage certificate in the U.S., and made plans to raise children together. But the accused then entered into a relationship with a person who was designated male at birth and later transitioned to female, with whom they had a child. After deliberation, the Tokyo High Court rejected the accused's appeal and said, "A same-sex couple is an agreement between two people, and on that basis, it can be said that it bears the same obligations to fidelity that a legally married couple of opposite genders undertakes."
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World’s Top Transgender Pageant Winner Crowned
The world’s top transgender pageant took the place in early March. The event has been held since 2004 in Pattaya, a resort town a few hours outside Bangkok that is notorious for its raucous nightlife and laissezfaire attitude to sex. The city is home to thousands of transgender women – many working in the area’s sex industry because of the stigma that curtails their employment and educational opportunities elsewhere in Thailand. The 2020 Miss International Queen Pageant brought together 21 international contestants who were not only showcasing their beauty but also spreading a defiant message for equality across the globe. Contestants say the pageant was a chance for them to challenge gender discrimination. They competed in categories such as Best Evening Gown, Best National Costume and Best Talent. Mexico’s Valentina Fluchaire was crowned the winner by 2019 winner Jazell Barbie Royale of the United States. She was presented with 450,000 baht and a host of other glamorous prizes.
Is Disney Losing Money Because of Promoting LGBT Ideology?
over “the way you currently promote LGBT ideology in many of your products for children. She claimed that many families “no longer feel safe” because of LGBT+ Disney characters, adding: “At a time when your stock is down by 20 per cent, is it perhaps time to reconsider what you can do to make Disney more family friendly… and also, what would you say to those 700,000 people who signed our petition saying, please let’s not have the gay prides in the Disneyland parks?” He responded: “At Disney we
strongly believe we should reflect in our creative content the diversity that we find in our fanbase and our audience. We believe we want to tell stories that our audience wants to hear that reflects their lives. In terms of the stock price, there’s a lot of reasons why the stock price might be down 20 per cent that has nothing to do with the issue you raised – it might have more to do with coronavirus and the worldwide pandemic that we’re facing at this moment.” The unequivocal response was applauded by the crowd. Disney Channel shows have explored LGBT+ themes for the first time – ending a decades-long informal ban on gay content.
Evil Sexual Predator During CEO Bob Chapek’s first annual shareholder meeting, he was confronted by the notorious British anti-LGBT activist Caroline Farrow– who suggested that the reason the company’s stock price has tumbled is the decision to include LGBT+ themes in properties like Star Wars and Avengers. In the meeting, Farrow challenged Chapek
British prosecutors described Indonesian exchange student Reynhard Sinaga as "the most prolific rapist in British legal history," for drugging and sexually assaulting nearly 200 men in Manchester over several years. A man convicted of 159 sex offences and rapes, will "never be safe to be released", a judge said.
Written by Jerome Yau
According to the survey, 97.5 percent of district councillors elected in November 2019 agreed that the government should do more to promote acceptance of LGBT+ people. Over 87 percent agreed that there should be a law to prohibit discrimination against LGBT+ people, and the same percentage also agreed that same-sex partners should be able to marry each other in HK.
New survey indicates strong support for LGBT+ equality indings of a new representative telephone survey strongly suggested that Hong Kong society is ready to embrace equal rights for LGBT+ people. The survey, conducted by the Centre for Communication and Public Opinion Survey at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, involved over 1,000 Hongkongers, and 60 percent of the respondents said they were “very much agreed / agreed that, overall, there should be legal protection against discrimination for people of different sexual orientations in Hong Kong. On marriage equality, “49 percent of the respondents said they very much agreed / agreed that a homosexual / tongzhi should be able to marry their partner.” Sexualities study expert Professor Suen Yiu-tung noted that the findings debunked myths about Hong Kong was not ready to embrace LGBT+ equal rights. He said: “It is not our belief that public opinion shall be the lead indicator as to whether social minority shall be granted human rights protection, but as long as the government, politicians and policymakers continue to make claims about social climate and public attitudes on LGBT+ legal rights, it is our belief that this study provides data against unsubstantiated claims.” Details of the findings can be viewed at: www.sexualitiesresearch.org.
Strong support for LGBT+ rights among district councillors Hong Kong’s newly elected district councillors are overwhelmingly supportive of advancing LGBT+ rights, according to a recent survey conducted by Pink Alliance, with advice and support from the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute.
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The survey, conducted by email in the run-up to the District Council elections on 24 November 2019, invited all candidates with email addresses to indicate their support or opposition to five propositions. A total of 924 candidates with email addresses were contacted. Of these, 197 (or 21.3 percent) responded, 123 of whom were subsequently elected as district councillors. “This is a clear indication that support for LGBT+ rights is growing fast in Hong Kong,” said Jerome Yau, CEO of Pink Alliance. “One of the functions of District Councils is to advise the government on matters affecting the well-being of the people in each district. LGBT+ people live and work in all districts of Hong Kong and come from all walks of life. We look forward to working with councillors and other community leaders in efforts to improve conditions for LGBT+ people in Hong Kong.” The results of the survey can be viewed at: https://pinkalliance.hk/wpcontent/uploads/2020/01/Backgrounder-DCSurvey191220.pdf.
Written by Dr Gordon Wong
o you remember a time when you felt annoyed by traffic noise? Or felt offended by what someone has said? Or when you were distressed by a headache? I imagine that a lot of people can relate to these common situations.
The pain becomes a more neutral stimulus, and does not have to equate to distress or suffering. An everyday experience that I often use is insomnia. I find that if I keep thinking that I have not fallen asleep, it is bad because it means I may be too tired the following day. I judge insomnia as ‘bad’, and I try to get rid of it. This creates negativity within me, causing upset and anxiety. This in turn aggravates insomnia. The alternative way to approach insomnia is to let go of the tendency to classify insomnia as ‘bad’. By not classifying insomnia as ‘bad’, I stop enabling this ‘bad’ thing to bother me. I just let insomnia be, creating peace and avoiding conflict within. I find that I do manage to fall asleep using this method.
Indeed the mind has a tendency to become a ‘judgment factory’, judging everything we see, hear, think or feel. This judgment factory tend to operate every waking moment, without rest. We exercise judgement that these are ‘bad’ things, and we then unconsciously try to resist them. However, this is often a war we can’t win. As a result, as we unconsciously label things and experiences around us as negative, we create more negativity within us. The more we judge, the more we unhappiness we create. We can try to let go of our habit to categorise every object, experience, sensation or thoughts as good or bad. For example, traffic noise is just a sound. There is no need to categorise it as good or bad. If we do categorise traffic sounds as ‘bad’, we attach emotional significance to this ‘bad’ sound. We enable this ‘bad’ sound to bother us. If we do not judge this traffic sound as good or bad, then we have not attached emotional significance to this sound. This sound is neither good nor bad. We just let it be, and it would not bother us. We can try to let go of our tendency to categorise an experience as painful or distressing. For example, if one has a headache, we tend to think it is bad and want it to go away. After stripping our judgment away, a headache is just another sensation.
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Whenever you catch yourself labelling something as ‘bad’, we can gently remind ourselves to stop the judgment factory. We can simply let what we see, hear, think or feel to just be. I believe that by putting down our judgmental attitudes, the world becomes a better place. Life is too short for us to let judgement get in our way of happiness.
Dr Gordon Wong spent his formative years in the UK, before returning to Hong Kong to study medicine. Apart from pharmacotherapy, he is keen on various psychotherapy methods. He has also a keen interest in LGBT mental health. He is a Specialist in Psychiatry in private practice.
Written by Reggie Ho
f you want a hike that is more than walking, here is one that trains your upper-body and core strength as well, and it is accessible and can easily fit into a weekend I am not a big hiking person, but I do enjoy it every now and then, broadly for two reasons: to spend quality time with friends and to enjoy nature when the weather is nice. But I do not consider it a major part of my workout regime. Come to think of it, it’s mostly just walking. There are, of course, tougher trails, such as the Twin Peaks and Violet Hill with those thousands of steps, which can make your legs and behind pretty sore the following day. Still, it’s very much just a lower-body workout.
Hikes that are not just hikes I love trails that lead to a bit of climbing – not full-on rock climbing, but pulling or lifting yourself up with your arms between and around boulders – and core-bracing while ascending steep slopes. A friend of mine is planning a trip to West Dog’s Teeth – regarded by some as the toughest hike in Hong Kong and involving some climbing on all fours – and I am quite excited about it. He was also the one who introduced me to Mount Johnston, also called Yuk Kwai Shan, on Ap Lei Chau, an island off Aberdeen in Hong Kong Island’s Southern District and better known for furniture shopping and fashion outlets in Horizon Plaza. This trail is not just a hike, as it can also consist of coasteering, a term that I will explain later on. Ap Lei Chau, although home to several housing estates, was until recently off the beaten track A visit here would involve a ride through the Aberdeen Tunnel and then across the bridge. But the opening of the Island South MTR extension at the end of 2016 changed all that.
Hidden starting point The extended rail line takes you to the Lei Tung Station at the very heart of urbanised Ap Lei Chau. But it is the undeveloped part of the island that we will be exploring here. Luckily, these two juxtaposing worlds are also adjacent. The first challenge of this hike is to find the starting point. If you are taking the MTR, Exit B is where you should head to. Right outside, you will see the bus stops in front of a JHC, and right next to them is the hill on which you start your ascent. The beginning of the hike can feel a little odd: You have to climb over a small fence and step over a giant water pipe to find the stairs that lead up to the Ap Lei Chau Service Reservoir Playground. To the left of the pitch, the path up to the top of the hill can be easily found. It is also marked on Google Maps.
Reggie Ho
The trek up to the highest point does not take long at all – probably 20 to 30 minutes – but it is relatively steep and unpaved. However, some helpful hikers have fixed a few ropes along the way in case you need assistance.
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Highest point is not the point A respite is to be had as you reach the peak of Yuk Kwai Shan, where you can enjoy a panoramic view from196 metres above sea level: There is Aberdeen to the north; South Horizon, Shum Wan, and the Ocean Park to the east, and Lamma Island to the west, with Lantau Island further out in the background. To the south, the direction to which you will continue, you can see the descent to the other side of the island, as well as the sand path that connects Ap Lei Chau to an islet, which I will introduce to you further down. At the start of the path downhill you will come across a fake rock – a feature here that cracks me up every time I see it – made of plastic and it’s hollow. It shows some “carved” text in Chinese and English detailing a WWII story of how some of the British soldiers fled Hong Kong as the Japanese military entered the city. The ascent is your second physical challenge. It is unpaved and much of it is quite steep – and you have to be mindful of loose rocks and pebbles. Again, there is a rope set up that you can use for support. Otherwise, it’s like an agility and core-strength training session.
One hill conquered, another to go As you reach the southern tip of Ap Lei Chau, you come across a tombolo that leads to a small island called Ap Lei Pai. There is a hiking trail on this uninhabited islet that will lead you to a lighthouse of a sort - of a sort because it is essentially a big concrete box with a light on top. But I do recommend trying to make your way there, as the ocean view and the mille-feuille-like rock formations are amazing to look at. The trip involves a hike up a small hill, with each way taking about 20-30 minutes.
The final challenge Upon your return to the tombolo, you have the choice to continue your way back to town by coasteering instead of hiking. What it means is you will skirt along the western shore of the island to head back north. The point is to enjoy the natural coastline, hopping between rocks, maneuvering around boulders and even climbing up and down some elevations. But worry not, it is quite safe. The outdoor sports community in the city has peppered the area with wood planks for bridges, iron bars for ladders and ropes that aid navigation. Assistance aside, it still requires good core strength and agility. Prepare to use your arms a lot, and wear gloves if you are concerned about scrapes, although I have managed this journey many times without so much of a bruise. I have also seen people who look like they are in their late 50s or early 60s - and moderate shape - exploring this route, so it’s not an extreme hike by any measure. The experience is well worth it. You get to take in more ocean views and watch different types of ships go by. Once, we even happened by a sailboat race. Then there are the natural ponds formed by high tides, with a bit of marine life trapped inside. As you get closer to the industrial buildings around Nam Lee Road, you will come across some shrines with ceramic statues of Taoist deities. To the right, you will see steps formed by piles of bricks that allow you to scale the wall and touch down on the paved road on the other side. You are now near the famous Horizon Plaza, and the nearest MTR station is South Horizon, about 15-20 minutes walk along Nam Lee Road. The whole journey takes about three to four hours, making it an ideal getaway you can easily fit into your weekend, even spontaneously.
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ll too often, seemingly healthy snacks are secretly loaded with sugar, saturated fats, and carbohydrates. That why we handpicked the most healthy foods that are delicious and incredibly easy to cook with. After all, rule number one for sticking to a smart meal plan is to not get bored, and these healthy ingredients will keep you on your toes. You'll notice something that all these healthy foods to eat have in common: each one is a basic ingredient, such as a grain, fruit, vegetable, or dairy product. Read: no pre-packaged products with a laundry list of strange-sounding ingredients in sight. You can use this as a rule of thumb when shopping—if the food is simple, wholesome, plant-based, and/or comes from the periphery of the grocery store (i.e. where the produce, eggs, fish, and other whole foods tend to live), you're in good shape! Greek Yogurt
Oatmeal
Rich in probiotics (bacteria that may improve digestion and increase your immunity), this extra-thick style of yogurt can contain 8 grams more protein per serving than conventional yogurt. Try this: Mix with ground cumin, chopped cucumber, garlic, and cilantro. Serve with grilled chicken.
Oatmeal keeps cholesterol in check, helps fight against heart disease, and keeps you full until lunch, thanks to its soluble fiber. Look for old-fashioned or steel-cut varieties. Try this: For a savoury breakfast, drizzle cooked oatmeal with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Avocado Eggs The whites offer up protein with minimal calories (and zero fat or cholesterol). Egg yolks get a bad rap, but don’t skip them—they are awash with vitamin B12 and vitamin A, and they contain choline, a nutrient that’s particularly important for pregnant women. Try this: Make a sandwich with whole-grain bread, sliced hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, olives, anchovies, red onion, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Quinoa It may cook like a grain, but quinoa is actually an herbaceous plant. It’s a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, and offers the same energy and satiety you would get from meat, sans the fat or cholesterol. Try this: Stir fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh dill into cooked quinoa.
Whole-Grain Pasta Whole-grain pasta contains three times the amount of fiber per serving as the typical semolina variety. Skip pasta labelled “multigrain," as it may be made with a number of grains and they aren’t necessarily whole ones. Try this: Toss whole-grain pasta with pesto, chopped arugula, and grated lemon zest.
You’ll get nearly 20 percent of your daily dose of fiber in one ½-cup serving of avocado, plus cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fats. Try this: For a side dish, halve an avocado, drizzle with soy sauce and fresh lime juice, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
Walnuts Walnuts are a super solid source of omega-3 fatty acids— the fats that lower the bad-for-you cholesterol (LDL) and raise the good-for-you kind (HDL). Try this: For a healthy on-the-go snack, pack a handful of walnuts with some dried figs and a few anise seeds. (As the ingredients sit together, the anise releases flavour.)
Mushrooms Meaty and filling, as a stand-in for beef mushrooms can slash up to 400 calories from a meal. Try this: Sauté sliced mushrooms and shallots until tender. Add a splash of white wine and cook until evaporated. Serve over roasted fish or chicken.
Barley Another high-fiber cholesterol fighter. On weeknights use the pearl or quick-cooking variety. More time? Give hulled barley, with its extra layer of bran, a go. Try this: Add sautéed mushrooms and sherry vinegar to cooked barley.
Wild Salmon The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon may improve your mood and keep your skin glowing. Why wild? It’s exposed to fewer toxins than the farmed Atlantic variety. Try this: For breakfast, mash some avocado on wholegrain toast and top with flaked poached salmon
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Sweet Potatoes The darker the colour, the richer these tubers are in the antioxidant beta-carotene. Try this: For a side dish, steam cut-up sweet potatoes and apples. Puree with maple syrup and crushed red pepper.
his is Nelson Bracamonte Jr, originally from the Philippines. Most local friends call him Nelnel but his Zumba buddies call him “Nelsa.” A Civil Engineer by profession, Nelnel switched careers and followed his heart in dancing before moving to Hong Kong in 2005 as performer in Hong Kong Disneyland. After getting his permanent residency, he left Disney to begin teaching full-time as a group exercise instructor at Fitness First Hong Kong from 2012-2019. Today he is a freelancer. Freelancing gives him more flexibility to teach in other gyms and or studios. So you might have taken part in one of his Zumba group exercise classes! We recently had a chat with Nelnel to find out a little more about him and his passion for group exercise.
Why should exercises?
people
get
involved
in
group
The interaction among members is magical. It’s great to do with your fitness goals. Also, you can meet a lot of new friends when working out with a group.
is this something that someone can do on their own? Can you recommend something that people can do at home? How long have you been doing group exercises? Started out as a member in July of 2010 and after a few months, I was approached by one of my instructors after a class who asked if I would be interested in training to become a group instructor. I immediately jumped at the chance!
What motivated you to get into this ? The fun and the vibe that I get during the group workout. The interaction.
What types of classes do you lead? I am trained with 6 Les Mills programs: Body Combat, Body Pump, Body Balance, Body Jam, Body Attack and RPM. I also teach Zumba, TRX Group Suspension Training, and I’m a Spartan SGX Coach as well.
Where are your classes usually held? My group exercise classes are held regularly in 3 studios/gym: Eliment Fitlax North Point, Definite Fitness and XP Fitness Hub. Once in a while I teach private Zumba classes with some avid followers. Outdoor boot camps are held in local parks like Victoria Park or at a playground outside our village in Tung Chung.
Can you describe your favourite exercise(s)? Body Combat and Zumba for cardio and Body Pump for strength training are my favourites. Body combat is the very first program. I just love the energy and the fun hitting an imaginary opponent. Zumba gets me to express my love and passion for dancing. There’s more freedom to it where I can be as carefree and entertaining. Body Pump keeps me lean, toned, fit and strong.
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Some of these programs are available on DVDs or Blurays that you follow but it may be harder to find since they are slowly becoming obsolete. But, you can check out YouTube which has a lot to offer in terms of doing it at home. However my recommendation would be to attend live classes because there is nothing like the fun, energy and vibe that goes with it, which is totally different when doing it at home.
What other fitness activity would you recommend to complement the group exercises ? Definitely outdoor activities. Going to the beach is absolutely my favourite. Hiking. And yes, Outdoor HIIT and Bootcamps!
How can people find you to take your classes? They can join and book any group exercises that I am teaching at in those 3 centres I mentioned or they can message me directly through my Facebook account, my personal email nelsonbracamontejr@gmail.com or mobile 94055640.
A conversation with Dennis Philipse
f do any kind of sport and fitness activities outdoors, you may have noticed groups of avid LGBTQ+ folks hiking, running, and participating in various other sports all around Hong Kong. This group, aptly named Out in HK is headed by Co-Chairs Dennis Philipse and Mark Thomsen. We recently asked Dennis if he could to talk to us about this organization and explain what they do and what they are all about. Without any hesitation, he enthusiastically agreed!
Can you tell us about Out in HK? Out in HK was founded in 2014 as a platform to build an active LGBTQ+ community together through organising sports, fitness and health and well-being events. We are a team of 15 event organisers (volunteers) who organise weekly activities. Since 2014 we have organised more than 700 events including: hiking, trail running, camping, beach-clean ups, scuba diving, island adventures, kayaking, rock climbing, tennis, yoga, badminton, chasing waterfalls and swimming events. There seems to be a lot of activities you guys are doing, particularly hikes. Do you ever repeat hikes? For night hikes we have 5 different routes that we generally rotate. There’s Lion’s Rock that is a medium level of difficulty and that I especially like to lead when there’s a full moon. There is The Twins which is the most challenging night hike from the repertoire, and then Wilson 2 from Parkview to Quarry Bay and a gentle hike around the Aberdeen Reservoirs. It’s pretty common that we will see wild boar and the occasional porcupine and snake on many of the night hikes. They are a great mid-week workout and escape from the urban jungle. We also organize a monthly Friday evening hike up to Victoria Peak followed by a happy hour gathering.
For day hikes we have done Lantau island’s Lantau and Sunset Peaks, Pat Sin Leng, Sai Kung, Ghost Village, Dragon’s back and many other famous and lesser known trails. We also organise weekend trips to Macau (hiking) and Cambodia (half marathon). What is the easiest hike for beginners? The evening hikes to the Peak and our hike up Dutch
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Path and around the Aberdeen Reservoirs are the best two hikes for beginners to join. For our weekend hikes we always include the level of difficulty in the event description. What is the most challenging and why? The Twins is the most challenging hike as there are 1200 steps to the top that one has to climb. No matter how fit you are, it’s still a hard workout. And no matter how cool it is, you will break a sweat. What does someone need to do to prepare for a marathon run? Run. It’s good to start out with a ½ marathon first and get a few of them under your belt before tackling a full; especially with our warm climate and to minimize your chance of injuries. You can find excellent training plans on the Runner’s World and Hal Higdon’s websites. Slowly build-up your training to prevent injuries would be my advice. And once you can comfortably run 8-10 kilometers, join our Saturday morning OutRunners workout on Bowen Road. What are some of the most well attended activities and what is the average number of participants? Our social hikes, coffee & tea meetups, an upcoming Mental Health and Well Being talk, and popular trails such as Dragon’s Back attract the biggest crowds. Our events generally attract between 5-30 participants, though we have done Dragon’s back with more than 60 people, which was quite challenging to lead! 15-20 is just about the ideal group size for a hike. Pride Run Hong Kong 2019 was our largest event ever with 450 registered participants and numerous volunteers.
In your opinion, in what way has Out in HK benefitted the LGBTQ+ community? Out in HK provides a platform, besides the bars and online apps, to meet people in a social and healthy environment, building life-long friendships. When you do a hike together, everyone is equal, it doesn’t matter what you look like or where you come from. It’s really empowering to see people participating for the first time at an OiHK event, helping each other over the mountains. We have participants who joined us for their first hike three years ago and who have now run their first marathon and some people have met the love of their life at an OiHK event during a hike or beach clean-up!
The LGBTQI+ choir The Harmonics was conceived through Out in HK, as was the Out Runners HK and OutSwimmersHK. Pride Run Hong Kong is organised by Out in HK and the Out in HK tennis open is organised by members of Out in HK. Out in HK was also the initial bidding organization of Gay Games Hong Kong. shOwT in HK is a Facebook group connecting LGBTQ+ arts & culture lovers together. 1.5 years ago Out in SG was conceived based on the concept of Out in HK and now has 2,640 Facebook members, organising monthly more than 20 sport, fitness and social events for the Singapore Gay community. How many members are in the group? How do you manage the financial aspects of the group activities? Is there a membership fee? Out in HK has >6,100 Facebook members. We are an allvolunteer, not-for-profit, registered society and all proceeds and donations raised go to charity. There is no membership fee and most events are free of charge. How does one find out about activities? A monthly calendar of activities is posted by the 1st of each month in our Facebook group Out in HK and sent monthly by email. https://www.facebook.com/groups/outinhk/
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Out in Hong Kong (OIHK) Open, one of the fantastic tennis tournaments that forms part of the ‘Asian swing’ of the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association’s (GLTA) annual tennis circuit. Our mission over the past three years has been to connect the thriving local LGBTQ+ tennis community with the international GLTA tennis circuit. In 2019 we had 86 players for participating. We hope to continue to grow and enhance this relationship in the coming years, as well as to look north into Shenzhen to integrate more strongly with that city’s LGBTQ+ tennis community as well. We will be meeting with our venue management in early 2020 to confirm details for this year’s tournament!
Gay Games 11 in Hong Kong 2022
Written by Dennis Philipse
he Hong Kong Bid was against 17 other cities in the world (including
ay Games is a 9-days international world-class diversity festival with multi-sports, arts & culture events and opening & closing ceremonies organised by the LGBTQ+ community, organised every 4 years. The goal of the Gay Games is to emancipate LGBTQ+ people around the world by educating people through sport, arts & culture events —in a spirit of better understanding. The Gay Games are organised by Gay Games Hong Kong under license of the Federation of Gay Games. The spirit of equality is enshrined in the Games’ principle of inclusion:
Washington D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guadalajara (Mexico). Hong Kong was the first and only Asian city that had ever bid, and won! This effort in itself was a milestone for our LGBT+ community. Starting from 2016, a team of passionate volunteers did extensive research and feasibility study, and created a 300 page bid book proposal. Bid supporting organisations included HK Tourism Board, EOC, HSBC, G.O.D., Credit Suisse, Pure, Cathay Pacific, Okamoto and ABN AMRO. Thanks to all this effort, Hong Kong was awarded the honour to organise the 11th Gay Games.
Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best.
Gay Games 11 Hong Kong will take place in November 2022, and we expect 12,000 participants and 75,000 spectators under the theme “Unity in Diversity”. We have planned 36 sport events including Dragon Boat Racing, Dodgeball, eSports and Trail Running and >11 arts & culture events including daily performances, Gala Concert, LGBTQ+ arts exhibition and AIDS Memorial events. Hong Kong is truly an iconic and world-class city. With 330,000 hotel room bookings and estimated economic impact to HK will be up to 1 billion HK$ (lodgings, flights, f&b, shopping tours), this will be the biggest LGBTQ+ event in 2022!
The Gay Games were founded in San Francisco in 1982 by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympian and gay American sportsman and competitor at the 1968 Summer Olympics in in track & field. The Gay Games have become the world’s largest sporting and cultural event led by LGBT+ sport participants, artists, and musicians. The event was most recently hosted in 2018 in Paris (France) with 10,158 participants, 75,000 spectators from 89 countries and nearly 3,000 volunteers, competing in 36 sports. The economic impact to the local economy was over HK$586 million. Everyone is welcome to participate regardless of sexual orientation, age, gender identity, ethnicity or ability and all events are open-entry.
We want to bring the Games to our city to showcase LGBTQ+ sporting and cultural organisations especially in Asia. The focus for the Hong Kong Games is on gender parity, transgender participants and younger demographic by including new and local sports and arts & culture events. Gay Games Hong Kong is a Hong Kong registered charitable organisation and is led by a team of passionate volunteers with experiences in organising sport, arts & culture and LGBTQ+ events. We believe that hosting the Gay Games for the first time in Asia will be an amazing experience for the whole world: for people who have never been to Asia, it will be a chance to experience the kindness, the culture, the food and the different ways of life of this part of the world. For people from Asia it will be a great opportunity to join the event close to their homes. It will be a never-to-be-forgotten experience to Participate, to strive for their Personal Best and to feel the Inclusiveness of joining an event that’s bigger than themselves, bringing the community together. Get involved now! Even though the event is in less than 3 years from now, there are many ways you can already be involved now: as volunteer, partner or donor, fundraiser, invite us to give a talk at your company! You can find more information about GGHK on our website. Website http://www.gghk2022.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GayGamesHK2022/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gaygameshk2022/
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Dr. Travis SK Kong, Associate Professor at HKU
We recently met with Dr Travis SK Kong, an associate professor at Hong Kong University and author of a number books often concerned with homosexuality and sociology. His most recent book, “Oral History of Older Gay Men in Hong Kong: Unspoken but Unforgotten” documents 12 life stories of older gay men living in Hong Kong, capturing how the complexity of their lives are interwoven with Hong Kong history.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to develop this book and exhibition?
I always find the voices of older gay men have been absent from local discourses. First, aging studies in Hong Kong have rarely touched upon issues of sexuality, not to mention tongzhi (synonym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) identity. Second, studies of Hong Kong identity from the perspective of social history have mainly focused on ‘mainstream’ stories and tended to neglect the identities of women and sexual minorities. Third, tongzhi studies in Hong Kong have mainly focused on the post-war generations. They are the missing piece to the puzzle of local tongzhi history and also the “minority of the minority” in tongzhi social services and aging services at present. Since 2009, I have been conducting an oral history of gay men aged 60 or above in Hong Kong and have had regular private yam cha (drinking tea) with them roughly every month since 2012. Using the method of oral history, this book "Oral History of Older Gay Men in Hong Kong" documents twelve life stories of 60+ gay men who lives in Hong Kong. It captures how the complexity of their lives is interwoven with Hong Kong history as well as the difficulties and hardships they have encountered, especially due to their sexual orientation, through colonial to contemporary times. Born from an academic study, this project has gradually transformed into a mutual support community network for older gay men in Hong Kong. This is the most rewarding part of the project. The monthly gathering also inspired me to invite four artists, Chan Ka-kei, Gyorgy Ali Palos, Bobby KH Sham and Wong Kan-tai, to capture their current lives through photography.
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What was the most interesting thing you discovered whilst completing the project?
A lot to tell: Each person’s biography was inspiring. I was fascinated by their dramatic stories and touched by their honesty; I was saddened by their misfortunes and frustrated by their grievances. These are stories of flesh and blood, with laughter and tears. When they were young, most of them lived in a quasikin communal familial setting. Family, a supposedly private space, turned out to be a communal space. They were then forced to go outside and public space (e.g., public toilet) became the major site for finding
sex, love, and friendship, which in turn became a site for private intimacy. When they become older, this kind of communal living has gone and they have to live on their own or with their immediate family members (e.g., wives, kids). The family becomes a site of intense surveillance for those who are married. With the emergence of gay infrastructure in Hong Kong since the 1990s, gay men have more space to find love, sex and relationship. However, these newly emerged spaces are not easy for these older gay men to live with. For example, most gay saunas privilege muscular athletic and/or youthful bodies; very few welcome the elderly. Very few queer NGOs have put older gay men on their service agendas. ‘Fishing’ is regarded as cheap, irresponsible, unrespectable, and undesirable, and older gay men are alleged to be self-loathing, closeted, and sad creatures who only ‘fish’ in a seedy underworld. They have also developed some interesting argots. Mah-jong is a very common Chinese game, but ‘playing mah-jong’ came to mean ‘having sex’, and ‘mah-jong tile’ referred to the male organ. Public toilets were called ‘gardens’ (later, ‘fish ponds’). ‘Wandering around the garden’ or ‘fishing’ meant ‘cruising’ (US) or ‘cottaging’ (UK). Some of the respondents repressed their desires, got married, and ‘became’ gay when they turned 50 or 60. A Canadian sociologist Janet Salaff has aptly described the dutiful ‘working daughter’ of the 1970s,who sacrificed her own self-development, gave up secondary education, and worked in a factory to contribute to the family economy. Likewise, these married gay men sacrificed their own selfdevelopment by suppressing their same-sex desires, marrying in order to contribute to the heterosexual family economy. Like the working daughters, they did not really regret their decisions, beginning to explore the gay world later in life. What do you hope to achieve through this project?
Through the oral history of Hong Kong older gay men, this project aims to grasp the complex intersections of individual biography, interpersonal processes and socio-historical transformations of Hong Kong history with two purposes: (a) to unfold how these individuals lived as a gay person in a heterosexist and homophobic environment in the eras between the 1920s and the 1980s when they may have encountered extreme prejudice, personal boycott, family disapproval, and social discrimination; and (b) to show how they live as an old and gay person (the 1990s-) in both the straight and gay worlds
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where hetero-sexism, homophobia, and ageism are apparently evident. This book fills an unspoken gap in tongzhi history in Hong Kong. Using the book and the exhibition as tools, I aim to raise awareness of the unspoken needs and problems these men are facing to the general public and service providers. What are the most obvious differences between the stories you uncovered and today’s gay community in Hong Kong?
Ways of connecting: In the past, there was no gayexclusive space and they found other men mainly through writing to pen pals, reading newspapers (usually negative reports about homosexuality), and through going to public spaces (e.g., public toilet) to find other gay men. Nowadays, gay men can find men in many different ways (e.g., gay bars, clubs, saunas) as well as internet (e.g., Fridae) and cruising smartphone apps (e.g., Grindr, Jack'd) Gay Identity: In the past, they did not have a very clear gay identity and there seemed to be more rooms for sexual experimentation. Nowadays, gay identity is so distinctive and closely relates to capitalism and pink economy. Sometimes it is not easy to conform to such a gay identity that has strong undertone of cosmopolitanism and middle-class sensibility. A lot of gay men have been discriminated along the lines of age, class, race and ethnicity, etc. Older gay men, for example, have been invisible in the gay scene.
Written by Stan Guingon
ou may have heard about it. You may have seen it on social media. You may have seen a “sneak preview” of it in select theatres in Hong Kong. We are talking about, as one critic puts it, “the film that will change the landscape of Hong Kong cinema.” That film is none other than the award-winning movie called “SUK SUK” which was written and directed by filmmaker Ray Yeung. SUK SUK presents the story of two closeted married men in their twilight years: PAK (Tai Bo) and HOI (Ben Yuen). The two men have their respective families, responsibilities and burdens, but their love affair releases them from emotions that they have repressed for years. Bound by morals and family values, the two men find their precarious relationship hanging in the balance.
Suk Suk isn’t pure fiction. Suk Suk is a story that is happening around us. Suk Suk reflects the situation in one corner of Hong Kong. A group of older members from the LGBT community live among us in this city; they may be your relatives, your friends or your neighbors. They carry many different labels in their lives: parent, son, daughter, sibling, spouse, friend. However, one thing they cannot do is to be themselves. These are the people that Suk Suk wants to highlight. Director Ray Yeung employs a subtle, non-judgmental approach, highlighting the plight of the invisible through the perspectives of two men – PAK and HOI – and their respective families. Through their story, the film examines the clash of family, ethics, obligations, restraints, desire and human nature in traditional Chinese society. Yeung indicated, “The story of Suk Suk was inspired by the book ‘Oral Histories of Older Gay Men in Hong Kong,’ written by HKU professor Travis Kong. It features interviews with many elderly homosexuals. The book’s issues were really thought-provoking, and they prompted me to do a year of research and interviews. You’d be surprised to see that these people with ordinary exteriors are hiding someone completely different within. Some of the interviewees who are active in the gay community told me that they would periodically visit their mothers’ graves to confess. The push-and-pull of their double lives really moved me, so I decided to write this story.” Tai Bo, who plays Pak said, “I can imagine that audiences in Taiwan and Hong Kong may get shocked to see me in a film like this. I’ve been acting in films for 50 years, and that includes countless roles. But it is still very exciting for me to take on the challenge of a film with an unusual topic, particularly when it is a well-written script.” Ben Yuen, who plays Hoi, explained, “This love story of two men didn’t shock me in the least, but the script was so good that it moved me. Not many films focus on the issues of older gay men, their family values, as well as the struggles that they face. I was deeply touched.”
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SUK SUK had its World Premiere at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2019. Soon after Busan, the film premiered in Taiwan at the Golden Horse Film Festival and received numerous Golden Horse Award nominations for Best Narrative Feature, Best Original Screenplay, Best Leading Actor (for both Tai Bo and Ben Yuen) and Best Supporting Actress for Patra Au Ga Man. The film was released in Taiwan cinemas at the end of February 2020. SUK SUK also had its European Premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival where it was in competition for the Berlinale Panorama TEDDY Award. Immediately after Berlin, SUK SUK had its Dutch Premiere at CinemAsia in The Netherlands where supporting actor, Lo Chun Yip, was in attendance. It will be released in France later this year. The film will have its official Hong Kong Premiere on 21st April at a Charity event hosted by “Gay & Grey,” a support group for older tongzhi in Hong Kong. For more information about the charity event, please turn to page 22. The release to the general public will begin on 23rd April. Follow SUK SUK on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for information and updates. See you at the movies!
On Media Buzz... and oh, the Nominations and Awards! There has been a LOT of great buzz from media outlets, film festivals and the fans who have shown so much support for SUK SUK. The Film Stage The Hollywood Reporter
“A rare, mature gay romance with plenty on its mind.”
“In lucid, carefully non-judgmental strokes, Yeung recreates the easy familiarity of (hetero-normative) family life that both men have gotten used to.”
No Spoiler Review
“…another great piece of Asian cinema that should comfortably take its place next to The Farewell.”
Screen Daily
“This is gentle, understated storytelling with subtly observant camerawork to match.”
Variety
“Yeung’s sympathetic screenplay is full of smartly observed, naturalistic moments which detail the family lives of his two protagonists and their feelings of obligation to those they brought into the world...The widescreen production package is solid and the camera-work never prurient.”
CinemaQ
“The story is heart-felt yet biting, weaving between a tender twilight romance, and the struggle, cowardice and shame it causes within traditional family dynamics.”
Hong Kong Film Critics Association Award Winners Best Movie – Suk Suk Best Actor – Tai Bo
Hong Kong Film Award Nominations (Awards date to be confirmed) Best Best Best Best
Film – Suk Suk Director – Ray Yeung Actor – Tai Bo Supporting Actor – Lo Chun Yip
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Best Best Best Best
Supporting Actress – Patra Ga Man Au New Performer – Patra Ga Man Au Film Editing – William Chang, Nose Chan Costume & Make Up Design- Albert Poon
Written by Graham Elsom
“Just across the border in China we can see a Han Dynasty King's jade suit, made with 2300 pieces of jade sewn together with silk. In nearby Guilin, we can explore mountain scenery equal to the best in the world. The nearby Philippines offers pristine tropical islands for total relaxation. We also have challenging extreme sports destinations such as Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu and then there is outrageously exciting Bangkok and more recently, Taipei seems destined to become the San Francisco of Asia.”
Graham’s Group Travel Recommendations. “Gay group” cruise around the Hawaiian Islands, 11 – 21 May, 2020. This is a not a gay cruise whereby all of the passengers on board are gay, but rather a join-in arrangement whereby one joins a gay group on board. Later in the year we plan to have a group departure for Taipei Gay Pride 2020. This will be over the weekend of Saturday 31 October, 2020. Looking further ahead, to March 2021, we will be offering a “gay group” cruise from Hong Kong to Tokyo. This will be on board the Celebrity Millennium.
Having recently been invited as a contributor to Pink Paper, I hope that with my many years of experience as a traveller and a Travel Consultant, I will be able to provide some worthwhile information about what to see and where to go in our wonderful corner of the world.
For more information about any of these departures or if you would like to suggest other destinations, please contact Graham at graham.elsom@jebsenholidays.com Once the coronavirus panic has abated we plan to offer group departures into nearby China. Let’s hope that we will be able to offer details about this in the next issue of Pink Paper.
Graham Elsom graham.elsom@jebsenholidays.com
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have been in travel all my life. I commenced my career as a messenger with the famed Thomas Cook & Son in Melbourne, Australia. Sadly, they have only recently gone out of business. Shortly after arriving in Hong Kong in 1976 I opened my own travel agency, Concorde Travel, and we were the first gay-friendly travel agency in Hong Kong. Concorde Travel closed its doors several years ago but I have not left the industry. I joined the Jebsen Group, founded in Hong Kong in 1895, as Honorary Advisor. Jebsen Holidays is one of Hong Kong’s leading travel agencies.(www.jebsenholidays.com)
here is nothing better for your health and wellness than
to escape from your daily routine and workplace by enjoying a break and exploring somewhere new. Hong Kong is only hours away from destinations of immense historical interest, great natural beauty, challenging adventures, pristine tropical islands, ultra-modern metropolises and some of the most exciting destinations on our planet. When it comes to health and wellness, we have a multitude of possibilities here in Asia, and nowhere is more renowned for its spiritual healing, yoga retreats, fresh fruit and relaxed island vibes than Bali. Turn to the page 19!
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Written by Graham Elsom
The first recommendation is the wellness-focused five-star Como Shambhala in Bali. This is without doubt one of the most beautiful places to stay that I have ever visited. Its programming is built around the Indian philosophy of Ayurveda, and the award-winning resort offers luxury detoxes, personalised yoga retreats, and exceptional spa therapies.
Prices start from US$781 per night/ https://www.comohotels.com/en/como shambhalaestate
In Bali’s trendy Canggu neighbourhood, The Chill House is a laid-back wellness sanctuary perfect for groups and solo travellers alike. The resort has a great relationship with the Bali Local Surf School, who offer great surfing lessons on Echo Beach. With a one-to-two teacher to student ratio, it’s great for beginners. Guests can choose between a more flexible package with just breakfast, or upgrade to include yoga and dinner, too.
Prices start from US$74 per night | www.thechillhouse.com
Don’t let financial constraints get in the way of enjoying a wellness break. For those on a budget, the Yoga Barn, which focuses entirely on yoga, is a more affordable option. Like COMO, it is also located in Ubud, the jungle heart of Bali. The Yoga Barn is open 7am to 9pm every day, and offers all different yoga styles, from Hatha to Vinyasa Flow to Kundalini, as well as self-guided cleanse and detox programmes. There’s no accommodation here, so check out nearby hostels or rent a villa with a group and join The Yoga Barn daily for your own a la carte wellness retreat.
Prices start from US$10 per class, or US$184 for 30 days unlimited | www.theyogabarn.com
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“Homosexual persons should make no effort to try and join society. They should stay right where they are and give their name and serial number and wait for society to form around them. Because it certainly will.” -Quentin Crisp
Written by Eric J. Herrera, former Chief Dreamer
Written by Eric J. Herrera, former Chief Dreamer
A LOOK BACK to 2014 to th FinS 10 ANNIVERSARY The adventure all started with a question, “Are you sitting down?” The second part of that conversation was “How would you like to live on the other side of the world – in Hong Kong?”
My partner and I at the time were in New York City, entrenched in our lives and work and the thought of packing it all up and moving house was ridiculous, shocking and unrealistic…but I looked around at my business, staff, facilities and clients and without hesitation said, ‘Let’s Do It!” I loved what I was doing in the events industry, I still miss my staff and clients dearly; my partner loved his architectural firm, but the idea of the situation would never in our lifetime possibly come up again, so we moved!
involved with organizing, the monthly events and the best part were greeting familiar faces every month. Over the years the founders moved on to other endeavours, leaving myself to the role of ‘Chief Dreamer’. I have enlisted a few of our friends throughout the 10 years of FinS monthly networking events and together we have tried to keep to the original mantra of Business Networking and Social and Corporate interaction and Community Engagement for LGBT Hong Kong and its supporters. I thank dearly those whose testimonials follow as well as the many sponsors, supporters and volunteers as without them FinS would not have made it to 10 years. TESTIMONIAL “Glenn” FinS appeared at a fortuitous time. In 2004, both Eric my partner and I had a pretty good picture of Hong Kong’s small LGBT social and bar scene, and were practicing, like most active people, a typical “venue bar hopping routine” carried out in every gay and lesbian cultured city in the world. So it was a refreshing change to attend our first FinS, at One Bar & Grille in the Rotunda of Exchange Square. Wow.. gay people in business garb carrying on real conversations (vs “bartalk”) at a decibel level which was comprehensible, and in a venue that wasn’t hidden down a dark alley or behind a large dark velvet curtain --- imagine that!
I immediately when finally moving to Hong Kong, looked for community engagement of any kind. Back home we volunteered mostly for the neighbourhood and community activities; in fact I had a lot of LGBT NGO clients but really never engaged in volunteering for them. We came across FinS – Fruits in Suits the second month of its new beginning, meeting and admiring some of the original founders and organizers, Gavin D., Eric T., Alvin C., so I began volunteering. It was delightful to meet so many new friends and acquaintances. I soon found myself getting more and more involved with organizing, the For Information on monthly events, visit Facebook: @FinS.HK monthly events and the best 20 part were greeting familiar faces
Fruits in Suits, over the course of the following 10 years, has brought Eric and I some wonderful benefits – the first and foremost being an introduction to scores of amazing & inspiring individuals, both local and expats, many of whom have become dear friends and “gay-family members” and who are all, in their own ways, contributing to the richness, diversity, and activism which characterizes the emerging LGBT community in Hong Kong. For those who knew the founders / organizers and many volunteers that followed, they like Eric were a perfect match being extroverts & people-person oriented. MENTORSHIP “Marion” Three years ago I was asked if I would volunteer to mentor one of the many female students who sign up to the FinS/Queer Straight Alliance HKU mentoring program. I got so much out of the experience that the following year I was at the orientation night, hosted by Goldman Sachs, promoting it to the next round of prospective mentees. The amazing young woman I mentored from that year has worked in Antwerp since graduation, broadening her horizons incredibly. I like to think I was a good role model to her, though secretly, I envy how fearless they have all become through this program. FinS makes these connections possible - to coach, support and learn across the twodecade divide. Where were you when I was 21? To be continued in the June 2020 issue...
(Eric circa 2014)
Reflections on FinS History and Those Who Helped it Become What it is Today
Written by Maisy Mok. Re-printed with permission from SCMP
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here were as many as nine lesbian bars in the Hong Kong scene’s heyday in the early 2000s, but that number has dropped to two: Virus and L’Paradis.
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Hong Kong’s increasing tolerance of LGBT people means that many lesbians feel they can hang out at ordinary bars, ‘and people won’t look at us weirdly’
•
Tse Tong, the owner of Hong Kong’s first lesbian bar, does not mind that the lesbian bar scene in the city is declining as it reflects the traditionally conservative society’s increasing tolerance for LGBT people.
•
Where once lesbians felt excluded and marginalised in most places in the city, and went to lesbian-only bars to find friends and lovers, nowadays the only two remaining such bars in the city are a very different type of venue: men and heterosexuals are also welcome.
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“[These bars] are no longer for meeting new singles,” Tong says. “They are a place for entertainment and for people to drink, which is different from the very beginning, when customers would come out every single week.”
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Tong opened Virus bar in 1997. Now located in the trendy Causeway Bay area, it has moved several times but always remained on Hong Kong Island. When it opened, there was nowhere else in Hong Kong catering exclusively to lesbians. The city’s gay bars were largely menonly.
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In the 90s, women could only go into gay bars if they were good friends with the venues’ male regulars, Tong recalls. Sometimes, according to the Hong Kong female queer activist group Les Corner, the bars would have quotas – a few women would be allowed to enter if they were accompanied by a much larger number of men.
•
“That was the culture,” Tong says. Similarly, “Everybody knew that if it was a lesbian bar, then boys were not allowed to enter. They thought guys were there to pick up chicks and check out girls.”
•
The early 2000s were the heyday for the city’s lesbian bars, when there were as many as nine, Tong says. She remembers when Virus was regularly
packed with young lesbians eager to meet “like-minded” singles from the community. Nearly two decades later, only Virus and L’Paradis in Tsim Sha Tsui remain. A few years after opening, Virus bar became gender-inclusive as Tong’s social circle expanded. “I quite like it,” she adds. “I don’t have to limit the bar exclusively to lesbians.” Research by the Chinese University of Hong Kong published recently shows that opposition towards LGBT legal rights in Hong Kong hit an all-time low in 2019. Only one in 10 people surveyed disagreed with same-sex legal rights, a 23 percentage point decrease when compared with a similar survey conducted in 2016. Boyi Tang, the vice-chair of Les Corner, says she no longer feels uneasy in a regular bar. As a self-proclaimed “party animal” she was once a regular in lesbian venues. Tang and her group of friends would frequent a few different places, such as Temptation – a nowclosed bar that also used to be in Tsim Sha Tsui – and L’Paradis, for a night out to avoid homophobes and awkward interactions with men. “I think it is the changing landscape that makes us feel like there’s not a need for a specific bar to gather anymore,” Tang says. “If we go out, we can hang out at an ordinary bar, and people won’t look at us weirdly.”
“There are fewer customers compared to 10 years ago. Back then, on the street you didn’t see many lesbians holding hands. People didn’t have the guts to kiss in public” Van Lai, co-owner, L’Paradis
Dating apps have also taken over the role of meeting places for queer women, she adds. “A lot of lesbians meet others online, unlike back in the day when people would invite girls from the other table and get to know each other at the bar,” Tang says. From the early web-based forum Blur-F to the current crop of lesbian meeting apps, these women have more ways than ever to connect with others from their community. The most popular apps on the market in Hong Kong for women to connect with each other are Butterfly, Her and LesPark. Each serves as a platform for the community with functions similar to those on Reddit, Tinder and Tiktok.
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Benita Chick, an LGBT city tour guide and a co-chair of Hong Kong’s 2020 Gay Games, says local lesbian bars don’t provide her with a way to meet like-minded fellow lesbians. Using the Butterfly forum app, however, she has met friends in the community who enjoy her own favourite pastimes, including scuba-diving and hiking. “If you go to lesbian bars, everybody is under 25 years old, and I feel like I could be their mother,” she says. And yet, despite the shrinking clientele, Virus and L’Paradis continue to provide a haven for lesbians in Hong Kong. On one recent night at L’Paradis, which opened 19 years ago, customers included both women and men. Owners Van Lai and Wing Lam, themselves lesbians, admit that increasing public acceptance of homosexuality has contributed to the slow decline of bars like theirs. “There are fewer customers compared to 10 years ago,” Lai says. “Back then, on the street you didn’t see many lesbians holding hands. People didn’t have the guts to kiss in public. Now … if you want to hold hands, then so be it. If you want to kiss, then kiss. People are more open-minded. But there are customers who still want a private place.” The pair say they are delighted by society’s increasing tolerance of the LGBT community, even though turning a profit is tougher in the more open-minded climate. “I think our sales are not the most important factor,” Lai says. “The most important factor is to provide a haven for people to hang out. This is my main goal.”
FAREWELL TO PINK ALLIANCE’S PHILIP HOWELL-WILLIAMS
Hong Kong Premiere of “Suk Suk”: A Fundraising Event to Support “GAY & GREY”
e at Pink Alliance all feel sad that Phil will soon leave Hong
WHEN: 21 April 2020 (Tuesday) WHERE: PREMIERE Elements House 6 (2/F, ELEMENTS, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon)
Kong and move back to the UK. We are extremely grateful for his tireless efforts over the years as the Director of Fundraising, Fruits in Suits and Pink Season. He has even contributed articles to Pink Paper!
TIME: Reception: 6:45-7:30pm Screening: 7:30pm - 9:30pm Price: $500 or $1,000 (VIP) per ticket* * VIP ticket will receive a complimentary drink, a copy of《男 男正傳⁚香港年長男同志口述史》[Chinese version] or Oral History of Older Gay Men in Hong Kong [English version] and a souvenir from Gay & Grey.
Very few tickets of $300 are also available for the seats with restricted view. After the deduction of basic expenses, all ticketing proceeds will be donated to Gay & Grey. Ticketing/Donation： https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6eYlBFOEA mCi-onSl-DBbBUgB1TTcjKvQUQhOe_mnJOfiSQ/viewform
We wish Phil the very best in the next chapter of life and hope all his plans turn out just right. Pink Alliance will not be the same without him but we are certain he will bring the same passions and enthusiasm to his next role in the UK. A huge THANK YOU and BIG HUG to Philip! We will miss you!
“Suk Suk” presents the story of two closeted Hong Kong men in their twilight years. The film has received 9 nominations from the Hong Kong Film Awards 2019, 5 nominations from the 2019 Golden Horse Awards, 2 nominations from the Hong Kong Screenwriters' Guild, and won best movie and best actor awards from the Hong Kong Film Critics Society in 2019. “Suk Suk” Trailer: https://www.facebook.com/ccasiaworld/videos/1533901440 095157/ “Suk Suk” Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suksukmovie/
“Gay & Grey” is the first and only non-profit nongovernmental organization serving older LGBTQ (or tongzhi) in Hong Kong. The charity premiere aims to seek raising much-needed funds to enable “Gay & Grey” to employ a social worker continue providing services to older tongzhi in Hong Kong. “Gay & Gary on ”You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o289bgmvb7Q&t=176s “Gay & Gary” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HKGayGrey/
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I remember Phil going through many mini-breakdowns running and driving Pink Season over the years, but he always bounced back quickly and kept going. He grew the annual diversity festival from a modest event into one of international standing. I was proud to support him whenever and wherever I could, and enjoyed taking in some of his amazing energy along the way.
I have never met a more dedicated creator of events than Phil Howell-Williams. His enthusiasm and palpable belief in the causes he supports are infectious. He charms money out of the most obdurate sources of funds. He has been at the heart of almost everything the PA has done for a decade or more. We are going to miss him sorely!
Reggie Ho Chairman Pink Alliance
Nigel Collett Company Secretary Pink Alliance
FLM
The Pontiac
Zoo
One of Hong Kong’s best-known gay bars,
With a rough and retro rock n’ roll vibe,
Styled as a cocktail bar, it would be hard
is renowned for its great happy hour (2-4-
The Pontiac has authenticity that’s
to escape the fact that this is one of
1, 7-9pm) and awesome theme nights, including weekly screenings of Ru Paul’s
seriously cool. With an all-female staff,
Hong Kong’s liveliest gay bars. They’re
drag race when the new season airs and
this bar emanates girl power and keeps it real with strong drinks, plenty of shots
BOGOF drinks deal runs 6.30-9pm all week long, but the fun continues all
Eurovision nights. By day when the bar is
and a hell lot of fun. If you and your
night here for party animals with fruity
shut, Cafe FLM opens in the back as a
girlfriends are looking for a wild night
cocktails and DJ sets until the early
chilled LGBT-friendly hangout and working
out, this place is it.
hours.
Best for: groups, party-goers, tend to be mostly female clientele, | 13 Old Bailey St, Soho
Best for: Party animals | 33 Jervois St., Sheung Wan
space.
Best for: theme nights / 62 Jervois St, Sheung Wan
T:ME Petticoat Lane
Wink
Not every night needs to be a wild one,
If you’re looking for an LGBT+ friendly space in Hong Kong’s rowdy Central nightlife
This fun Sheung Wan bar is one for the music lovers. Live bands and karaoke
and this is where T:ME Bar comes in: hidden away behind Hollywood Road,
scene, it would be easy to miss the rainbow
nights
entertainment
on Man Hing Lane, this LGBT-friendly
flags on the Petticoat’s terrace, sandwiched
programming here before the DJ comes
bar opens onto Pak Tsz Lane Park and
between LKF and Wyndham Street. This
on later in the evening.
offers chilled-out vibes with great drink
frequent
the
offers.
gem has a large dance floor and stellar music selection to match.
Best for: live music | 79 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan
Best for: quiet drinks | Back entrance, 65 Hollywood Road
Best for: dancing the night away | Basement, 57-59 Wyndham Street, Central
Virus
Behind Bars
It would be impossible to talk about LGBT+ bars in Hong Kong and not
As LGBT+ bars go, this one is a little more
mention Virus, on of the city’s oldest
Lesbian bars in Hong Kong are few and far between, so Les Paradis in Kowloon
on the covert side of things. This new bar,
‘girls bars’. Recently moving to a new
is one of Hong Kong’s best places for
opened in 2018 from the same people who
location in Causeway Bay, Virus has
LGBT+ women to drink, meet and
run the LGBT-friendly monthly nightbclub
been around for over 20 years, creating
mingle. They have beer pong and darts,
concept ‘Behind’ is in the basement of Tai
a chilled nightlife atmosphere for LGBT+
and often kick into party mode with
Kwun’s renovated prison barrack block, and has a relaxed and sultry speakeasy
women with karaoke and (by Hong
themed nights and collaborations.
atmosphere that lends itself to a low-key
Kong’s standards) reasonably priced cocktails.
date night.
Best for: date night | Shop 15, G/F, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central
Best for: a catch up with friends | 21F, Chung Way Commercial Building, 447449 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay
Reopened after renovations in 2017, Linq is back in business. The cosy club on Pottinger Street often has patrons spilling out onto the cobbles, as its popular with both couples on date nights and singles looking to meet new people. They also do
Best for: meeting new people over drinks and games | 5th Floor, Cameron Centre, 57-59 Chatham Road South,
Tsim Sha Tsui Lex Chill Hey
Bing Bing HK Linq Bar
Les Paradis
This is the gay hot spot of the moment. On Friday/Saturday nights, the place can get packed with 200+ people. It is fairly busy even on weeknights as well. Unlike the gay bars in Central, the Bing Bing crowd skews much younger, mostly in 20s or early 30s, and vast majority of locals instead of expats.
The lesbian dance party for girls who love girls. It’s not a ‘bar’ per se, but a roaming nightclub concept which takes over some of Hong Kong’s hottest nightclubs, like Zentral and Ophelia. Plus, they’re a big fundraiser and supporter of IDAHO+ which makes them awesome in our eyes.
‘Guys Night’ on Wednesdays, so pop along for their drink deals.
Best for: a low-key party | 35 Pottinger Street, Central
Best for: good cheer with friends old and new, great dance music, reasonably priced drinks | 22F Oliv Building, 15 Sharp St E, Causeway Bay
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Best for: a dusk-til-dawn party | www.lexchillheyhk.club
Pink Alliance Open Position:
The registered LGBT+ Charity Pink Alliance is looking for an energetic and dedicated fundraising officer. This wonderful opportunity is a fun role that involves networking, creativity, events, sales and relationship management. The role is voluntary, but for a person looking to build up an incredible network of companies and individuals, then this is a wonderful opportunity.
VOLUTEER OPPORTUNITIES
ant to give back to Hong Kong’s LGBT+ community? Pink Alliance is seeking volunteers! Join us on our campaign for marriage equality, help out with events, write for the Pink Paper or lend your skill set to the group. Please contact Director of HR, Nigel Collett for more information about the available roles below: nigel.collett@pinkalliance.hk
Key Duties: • Maintain and build upon the already established portfolios of organisations that support Pink Alliance and its various subsidiaries. • Arrange and execute face to face meetings with potential corporate sponsors to support major events and initiatives. • Establish and build income streams • Network with different groups in Hong Kong to create new contacts. • Explore opportunities for corporate grants and produce high quality applications • Work closely with the directors of FinS, Pink Season, IDAHOT and other initiatives to maximise income opportunities. • Be a positive and professional public face of Pink Alliance
CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS: to help plan and execute the marriage equality campaign. CHINESE PRESS OFFICER: to handle the Chinese media for the campaign, speak and make statements in Cantonese. PHOTOGRAPHERS: to work with the Director of Communications, to record PA events and provide pictures for the website and social media.
We are looking for: • A positive energetic individual who is comfortable establishing new business relationships quickly • A philanthropic individual who has understanding and passion in progressing LGBT+ rights in Hong Kong • The ability to work outside of normal business hours • An excellent communicator – preferably in English and Cantonese (but not vital) • An organised person who can multitask and keep track of income streams and relationships • The ability to work well in a team, but is also comfortable working on their own
VIDEO CAMERA OPERATORS: to work with the Director of Communications, to record PA events and provide video for the website and social media. WRITERS: to work with the Editor of the Pink Paper in writing pieces in either Chinese or English, or both. TRANSLATORS: to translate from English to Chinese and/or from Chinese to English for any PA publication and website.
If you have what it takes for this amazing opportunity then contact : Nigel Collett at nigel.collett@pinkalliance.hk or Jerome Yau at jerome.yau@pinkalliance.hk
DESIGNERS: to help several departments design and prepare online and hard copy pages, social media entries, brochures, posters and leaflets.
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Chairperson Reggie Ho
Director Education Benita Chick
Director FinS (Fruits In Suits) Amy Hanly
Vice Chairperson & Chief Executive Officer Jerome Yau
Director Health Gordon Wong
Editor Chinese Social Media Norman Kwan
Director IT Isaac Yick
Editor English Social Media Deva Lee
Director Fundraising Position Available
Editor Pink Paper Stan Guingon
Director Communications & Campaign David Hall
Director Mainland China Outreach Kenneth Cheung
Secretary Tristan Lee
Director Operations Amy Hanly
Director Outreach Roger Steel
Treasurer Joanne Loney
Director Policy Jerome Yau
Director Website Jim Poon
Legal Advisor Alfred Ip
Company Secretary & Director HR Nigel Collett
Director Pink Season Position Available
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