LGBT Community Takes Pride Parade Online

Hong Kong’s LGBT community took their pride parade online on Saturday – the ongoing coronavirus pandemic putting paid to hopes of the annual event taking place on the SAR's streets.

Instead of the traditional rainbow flags on the streets, people went online for a socially-distanced three-hour event featuring singing and sharing from different groups.

Cynthia Cheung, deputy spokesperson for Hong Kong Pride Parade, said there was no chance of this year's celebration being scrapped entirely.

“I think the visibility and exposure is very important,” she said. "For LGBT people it's a very important platform, and day, for them to remind them they are not alone, you always have someone who is exactly like you and walks with you."

"And for straight people, and for other allies, and the public, it's a very important education for them – to let them know the concept of equality is very important."

The online pride parade lasted for around three hours on Saturday afternoon, and included performances and singing, as well as an acknowledgement of LGBT ambassadors.

Cheung said 17 of the 18 district councils had been "supporting organisations" for this year's parade.

"It's quite an unexpected, but important milestone for us," she said. "This means we are actually introducing gender and sexuality topics into the districts. And by that, the district councils can deepen the concept of equality and, I think, to build a truly equal society this is the first step."

But Cheung also bemoaned that progress towards equality only seemed to be coming through court cases, and suggested the government should be taking the lead to protect the LGBT community instead.