CHINA: Gay rights campaigners join an anti-government protest in Hong Kong to vent their anger at the government's decision to hire a "gay cure" therapist

Record ID: 277311

  • Title: CHINA: Gay rights campaigners join an anti-government protest in Hong Kong to vent their anger at the government's decision to hire a "gay cure" therapist
  • Date: 2nd July 2011
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JULY 1, 2011) (REUTERS) WIDE OF PROTEST MARCH VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CARRYING BANNERS DURING DEMONSTRATION NUTONG XUESHE GAY ACTIVIST GROUP CARRYING BANNER VARIOUS OF ACTIVISTS DISTRIBUTING FLYERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MEMBER OF LOCAL GAY RIGHTS GROUP, NUTONG XUESHE JOSEPH CHO, SAYING: "I think that the very fact that the department of social welfare
  • Embargoed: 17th July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China, China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAPXPSHELH95NEZKE7SP406L2U
  • Story Text: Thousands of gay rights activists took to the streets in an anti-government protest on Friday (July 1) to promote awareness and express anger at the government's decision to hire a "gay conversion" therapist for a training workshop.
    Members of local gay rights group 'Nutong' handed out pamphlets promoting gay rights as more than 100,000 people took part in an annual protest parade held on the anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule. Hong Kong's "One Country, Two Systems" rule guarantees civil freedoms and the right to protest -- not seen on the mainland.
    Activists had accused the government of showing a bias and lack of professional conduct by hiring a psychiatrist -- Hong Kwai-wah, to hold a three-and-a-half hour training workshop for dozens of social workers at the city's Social Welfare Department in mid-June.
    "I think that the very fact that the department of social welfare invited Dr. Hong, tells us that it endorses a homophobic attitude towards homosexuality. And it somehow tells us that the government does not truly believe in the human rights of LBGT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender) people. They still think that LBGT people are sick and need treatment," said campaigner Joseph Cho.
    Dr. Kwai-wah is the chairman of the New Creation Association, an organisation that says it offers people unhappy with their sexuality help in changing their sexual orientation.
    He denied the organisation discriminated against homosexuality.
    "We respect those who don't want to change, doesn't want to leave homosexuality but I hope that they will also respect those who want to change, who want to leave homosexuality. And I hope that they don't do anything just to ban therapy, any form of therapy that helps these people who want to change. They have their right for choice and self-determination," Kwai-wah said.
    Kwai-wah's address to the Social Welfare Department was titled "Giving Guidance to Same Sex Attracted Youth". His audience were social workers from various districts of Hong Kong.
    He says the therapy is based on Christian principles and uses counselling, book-reading and weekend retreats.
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