Network of Christian groups to make 'meaningful appearance' at Pink Dot alongside Dr York Chow, who will likely be replaced next year
LANA LAMlana.lam@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Sunday, 20 September, 2015, 4:27am
UPDATED : Sunday, 20 September, 2015, 5:32am
Dr. York Chow Yat-ngok, chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission, spoke at SCMP Women of Our Time Conference last October. Photo: May Tse
Controversy over proposals to replace Dr York Chow Yat-ngok as the head of the city's equalities watchdog will take centre stage at one of the biggest events for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities in Hong Kong today - with the former health chief due to speak.
Chow, who took up the post as chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission in 2013, will address the crowd at Pink Dot Hong Kong, an outdoor concert and carnival, at Tamar Park and speak about same-sex marriage.
"It's not a political event but it's doubly meaningful to have him attend," said one of the co-organisers Betty Grisoni.
"He has been supportive of Pink Dot from day one and it will be sad to see him go."
Gay rights groups have recently expressed concern that Chow, who has not shied away from advocating for the rights of sexual minorities in Hong Kong, is likely to be replaced after the government advertised for his position earlier this month.
Pink Dot Hong Kong was organised by BigLove Alliance and Pink Alliance last year. Photo: Nora Tam
Chow, whose term is set to end next March, has ruffled feathers among pro-family campaigners and some religious groups who have been deeply unhappy with moves by the EOC to introduce more equality to Hong Kong society.
He drew their ire in 2013 for joining gay rights groups and taking part in the Hong Kong Pride Parade.
They claimed Chow's participation would harm his impartiality.
This afternoon, thousands are expected to join the Pink Dot party that debuted in Hong Kong last year when about 12,000 people, including Chow, attended.
The Pink Dot events first started in 2009 in Singapore.
About 12,000 people attended Hong Kong's Pink Dot party debute last year. Photo: Nora Tam
A number of diplomats will also address the crowd, including the US consul general Clifford Hart and French consul general Eric Berti.
The participants will form a huge pink dot to symbolise "love and support" for the LGBT community, according to Grisoni. The theme for the event is "Love is love", which Grisoni said was about diversity and acceptance.
She said another significant part of today's event would be the involvement of the Covenant of the Rainbow.
This is a network of Christian groups and churches who believe in an inclusive community.
"A lot of the time when people think of religious groups and these events, they think that there is a conflict but this is not true," Grisoni said.
"There are people in Hong Kong who believe that equality is part of the church and this is something we are pleased about."
The free outdoor concert will include Canto-pop singers Anthony Wong Yiu-ming and Denise Ho Wan-see, while television and film star Gregory Wong Chung-yiu is the ambassador for this year's event.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1859792/controversial-equality-chief-set-take-centre-stage-pink-dot-hong-kong
