- Title: Thousands march in Hong Kong's annual pride parade
- Date: 26th November 2016
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (NOVEMBER 26, 2016) (REUTERS) PARTICIPANTS GATHERING AT STARTING POINT OF HONG KONG PRIDE PARADE CONSULATE-GENERALS FROM VARIOUS EMBASSIES ON STAGE RAINBOW EUROPEAN UNION RAINBOW FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG PRIDE PARADE SPOKESPERSON, JIMMY SHAM, SAYING: "We hope that Hong Kong can be an equal and non-discriminatory society. So we have been fighting for laws to prevent discrimination against sexual minorities for 25 years. But there's still no guarantee. So today we are gathered to demand, and hope that the government can put through anti-discrimination laws." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE MARCHING PRIDE PARADE BANNER READING (English): HONG KONG PRIDE PARADE 2016 GIANT RAINBOW FLAG AT PRIDE PARADE HONG KONG LEGISLATORS AND SPOKESPERSON (From left to right): LEUNG KWOK-HUNG, JIMMY SHAM, ALVIN YEUNG, CHAN CHI-CHUEN (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG LAWMAKER, CHAN CHI-CHUEN, SAYING: "The anti-discrimination legislation that was tabled before 97, was missing a few votes for it to pass. A survey done by the Equal Opportunities Commission found that a majority of Hong Kong people think it's about time (the legislation is passed). We're just missing Hong Kong's government to be on board, and once they are, then I believe the city's legislators will pass the law through." RAINBOW FLAGS AND PARTICIPANTS OF HONG KONG PRIDE PARADE LEGISLATORS LEADING THE PRIDE PARADE PARTICIPANTS MARCHING THE PRIDE PARADE VARIOUS OF RAINBOW FLAGS WAVING PARTICIPANTS MARCHING PRIDE PARADE DRAG QUEEN "STEFANIE SLAGHOUSE", STEVEN EMMERY, HEADMASTER, MARCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) "STEFANIE SLAGHOUSE", STEVEN EMMERY, HEADMASTER, SAYING: "Hong Kong and Mainland China should have gay rights and quite a lot of us have Chinese boyfriends or girlfriends and we want to get married. And the easiest place really is Hong Kong." VARIOUS OF HUSKY WEARING RAINBOW RIBBON MARCHING SIGN READING (English): GOD MAKES ME GAY VARIOUS OF PEOPLE RUNNING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH GIANT RAINBOW FLAG BANNER VARIOUS OF TOP SHOT OF PRIDE PARADE
- Embargoed: 11th December 2016 11:07
- Keywords: legislation green LGBT pride parade
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Human Interest/Brights/Odd News,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0015A2XKK9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of people braved heavy rain and walked the streets of Hong Kong on Saturday (November 26) for in the annual pride march calling for the government to introduce long delayed anti-discrimination law for the LGBT community.
Organisers said 6,800 people dressed in the colour green waved rainbow flags, but police put that number at 2,500 at its peak.
This year's theme colour, green, was to symbolise Hong Kong citizen's acceptance and the 'green light' for further LGBT rights.
"We hope that Hong Kong can be an equal and non-discriminatory society. So we have been fighting for laws to prevent discrimination against sexual minorities for 25 years. But there's still no guarantee. So today we are gathered to demand, and hope that the government can put through anti-discrimination laws," Hong Kong pride parade spokesperson, Jimmy Sham, said.
Hong Kong's only openly gay lawmaker, Chan Chi-chuen along with other politicians led the march from Hong Kong Victoria Park to the city centre.
"The anti-discrimination legislation that was tabled before '97, was missing a few votes for it to pass. A survey done by the Equal Opportunities Commission found that a majority of Hong Kong people think it's about time (the legislation is passed). We're just missing Hong Kong's government to be on board, and once they are, then I believe the city's legislators will pass the law through," Chan said.
Hong Kong has no law against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, despite attempts to push through legislation.
Participants from Mainland china also took part in the march to show their support for equal rights in Hong Kong. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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