[SDG Forum Series 2023/24] Diversity and Inclusion – The Development of Sexual Minority Rights in Hong Kong and Asia

SDG Forum Series (2023/24)

Session 6
Topic: “Overcoming Challenges to Diversity and Inclusion – The Development of Sexual Minority Rights in Hong Kong and Asia”

Date: 9 July 2024 (Tuesday)

Time: 19:00 – 20:30 p.m. (GMT+8, HKT)

Venue: LT4, 2/F, Yasumoto International Academic Park, CUHK

Speakers:

• Professor SUEN Yiu Tung, Associate Professor of Gender Studies, Associate Professor of Public Health and Primary Care (by courtesy), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Mr Jerome YAU, Chief Executive, AIDS Concern; Co- Founder of Hong Kong Marriage Equality
• Mr Henry LI, Litigation Lawyer; Executive Committee Member of the Hong Kong Gay and Lesbian Attorneys (HKGALA) Network, Hong Kong LGBT+ Attorneys Network

Moderator:

• Professor Amos TAI, Associate Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme; Director of Earth System Science Programme; Faculty of Science Associate Director of Office of University General Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

*Forum will be conducted in Cantonese. Free admission, all are welcome.
*In-person or online participation. Limited seats on a first-come-first-served basis.

Online registration: https://cloud.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk/webform/view.php?id=13690332

Enquiry: sdg-ouge@cuhk.edu.hk 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Forum Series 2023–24 is co-organized by Office of University General Education, CUHK and the Hong Kong Chapter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN Hong Kong).

Brief Description

Creating a more equitable and inclusive society is crucial in achieving Sustainable development. This forum will look into the critical issues faced by sexual minorities with examples from Hong Kong and Asia. Professor SUEN Yiu Tung will talk about the rights of sexual minority groups in Hong Kong with a focus on marriage equality, in a comparative context with examples from various countries in Asia. Mr Jerome YAU will share his views on marriage equality at the individual and social justice levels, and how improved justice could enhance the well-being of the sexual minority population. Mr Henry LI will share his experience as a prominent figure involved in related court cases.

This forum is highly relevant to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong institutions).

About the Speakers

Professor SUEN Yiu Tung is an Associate Professor of Gender Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he also serves as an Associate Professor of Public Health and Primary Care (by courtesy). He received the Young Researcher Award (2020) of CUHK, and Exemplary Teaching Award in the Faculty of Social Sciences (2022) of CUHK.

His research concerns the impact of sexual orientation and gender identity related laws and policies (and the lack thereof) on the lives of LGBT+ people themselves and the wider society. Besides publishing widely across many fields in academia, his research is known for being highly impactful. Outside academia, he has been a consultant and written reports for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), and advised the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for their research. Locally, he led the largest-scale research in Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission’s history of commissioned research. He is an appointed member of the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS of the Department of Health of the HKSAR Government. He is the Advisor and Past Vice-Chairperson of AIDS Concern Hong Kong. He frequently addresses a wide range of audiences including policy makers, business leaders, lawyers, healthcare professionals, and service providers. He has also been working with a variety of sectors as diverse as business, law, hospitality, fashion and more. Moreover, he has been interviewed by international media outlets such as the AFP, BBC, Bloomberg, Financial Times, New York Times, Reuters, TIME Magazine, Washington Post, and many others for his research.

Mr Jerome YAU is the Chief Executive of AIDS Concern and the Co-Founder of Hong Kong Marriage Equality. He has extensive experience in executive and non-executive positions in the non-profit and education sectors, specializing in communication, strategic engagement, policy research and public affairs. He is dedicated to social justice and promoting LGBTQ+ health and inclusion. He believes strongly in using positive narratives to mobilize for change. Furthermore, he has extensive experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders. He is dedicated to enhancing people’s well-being through affirmative and evidence-based practices.

Mr Henry LI is a Litigation Lawyer and an Executive Committee Member of the Hong Kong Gay and Lesbian Attorneys (HKGALA) Network, Hong Kong LGBT+ Attorneys Network. He – together with his deceased husband Edgar Ng – filed three judicial reviews to challenge the unequal treatment by the government of same-sex married couples in terms of public housing, inheritance and after-death arrangements.

About the Moderator

Professor Amos TAI is an Associate Professor in Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme and Director of Earth System Science Programme, Faculty of Science, CUHK, also serving concurrently as the Associate Director of Office of University General Education. Amos obtained his B.Sc. from MIT, Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from Harvard, and was a Croucher Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT before he joined CUHK in 2013. His research focuses on atmospheric chemistry and physics, ecoclimatology, and sustainable agriculture and forestry. Amos is also a passionate educator, having received the prestigious CUHK Vice-Chancellor Exemplary Teaching Award and Faculty Exemplary Teaching Award. Amos delights in promoting science, environmental and sustainability education for the general public, regularly giving talks in schools and public avenues and participating in many TV and radio programs. He has provided professional consulting services to various government departments, and currently serves as a Board Governor of Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong).