(A girl with rainbow ribbons on her head. Photo by Vicky Liao)
(Supporters gathered in the Victoria Park for the upcoming march. Photo by Charlene)
Despite the light rain, 12,000 people dressed in purple outfits, gathered in Victoria Park on Saturday for the Hong Kong Pride Parade 2018, with the theme of “Call for the Law, Equality for All”.
The Hong Kong Pride Parade entered its 10th annual session this year. The event continued their call for equality legislation and also for more all-gender facilities, including gender-neutral spaces outside, public toilets and changing rooms for transgender people in need.
The parade started at 3 p.m. from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay to Edinburgh Square in Central.
Before the parade started, the organizers, in cooperation with Blessed Ministry Community Church and Covenant of the Rainbow, held the “Rainbow Inclusive Worship” on the stage of the football field in Victoria Park, hoping to bring out the message of faith and sexual niche.
It has six years since the Hong Kong Pride Parade organizing committee decided to use one of the rainbow colors as the theme of each annual parade.
This year reached the last color of the rainbow spectrum, purple, which used to be rare and difficult to obtain. Purple is now accessible to all, the organizers hope equality will similarly be available for the LGBTQ people.
Hong Kong does not have equality legislation covering sexual orientation but has promised to look into the anti-discrimination works of other countries such as implementing anti-discrimination laws as the reference to this year’s Policy Address.
“Although this is a late start, it is nevertheless a good start,” said Sham Tsz-kit, the spokesperson of the Pride. “It took our nearly ten months preparing for this parade. This year has witnessed the largest number of sponsored groups in history, and the number of participants is expected to reach a new high due to the issue of Taiwan’s gay marriage referendum at the end of this month.”
Tao Yiming, 24-year-old, a supporter of LGBTQ people’s rights from Shenzhen, came to Hong Kong that day for the third year in attendance to take part in the Hong Kong Pride Parade.
“I was here three years ago, and back then the theme color was green. The badge I am wearing is from that year. I am excited to see those drag queens as they are brave and eye catchy in the Pride Parade. We need people who are fierce enough to stand out and show the public the proud attitude of LGBTQ group,” he said.
Charlene Yang 