CHINA-PRIDE PARADE/HONG KONG Thousands march for gay rights and democracy in Hong Kong

Record ID: 450936

  • Title: CHINA-PRIDE PARADE/HONG KONG Thousands march for gay rights and democracy in Hong Kong
  • Date: 8th November 2014
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF STUDENTS LESTER SHUM, SAYING: "But what's behind the, what's behind the real democracy, what's the real democracy is freedom, equality, diversity, respect. We see that Hong Kong does not have enough respect for, does not have equality status for those gay people. So we are coming out to support this Pride Parade. Because we believe the spirit of Pride Parade matches the spirit of democracy." VARIOUS OF ADMIRALTY PROTEST SITE BANNER HUNG FROM FOOT BRIDGE READING: 'YOU MAY SAY I'M A DREAMER, BUT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE'
  • Embargoed: 23rd November 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAX3XRT6SBPO1JZDCUH2EVTG4F
  • Story Text: Record numbers braved rain and barricades to take part in Hong Kong's annual Pride Parade in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights on Saturday (November 8).
    Organisers said more than 8,000 people participated in this year's march, which crossed through the main protest site of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protest.
    Blowing bubbles, holding balloons and wearing, in some cases, next to nothing, marchers patiently filed through the make-shift barricades. Led by the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS), thousands of people have blocked key areas of Hong Kong for over a month demanding full democracy.
    HIV/AIDS activist, Joe Lam, said they were working for a common cause.
    "I do, I do, because actually we are fighting for our right. People, perspect(ive), they are fighting for their vote, and we are fighting for our equal right. So basically, we are on the same boat. And I know the organizers (Pride) have been meeting with them (Occupy protesters), they opened the road for us to come to this area, which is very nice. And I believe they are doing the same thing and I believe they are doing a good thing for Hong Kong. And we are doing for Hong Kong as well," said Lam.
    On Friday, the HKFS publicly endorsed the Pride march and showed up at the rally.
    "But what's behind the, what's behind the real democracy, what's the real democracy is freedom, equality, diversity, respect. We see that Hong Kong does not have enough respect for, does not have equality status for those gay people. So we are coming out to support this Pride Parade. Because we believe the spirit of Pride Parade matches the spirit of democracy," deputy Secretary-General, Lester Shum told Reuters.
    Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows it wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms and specifies universal suffrage as an ultimate goal.
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