🌊 Equality, Poetry and Sexuality
🌊 Equality, Poetry and Sexuality
LoTW: Social Activist/Freelance writer Beth Kong pens for change
Dear High Tide subscribers,
My name is Beth. I am a freelance writer and I write about issues regarding environment, gender and animal rights. I am currently an English major studying in Hong Kong and I am also the co-vice president for Queer Straight Alliance (QSA)— a LGBTQ+ student organisation that supports LGBTQ+ students and allies through career, social and educational initiatives and advocates for diversity and inclusion on and off University campuses.
Feel free to reach out to me at bxthkxng@gmail.com or on LinkedIn.
Beth joined Managing Editor-In-Chief Cyril at ReThink earlier this month as a freelance reporter for Harbour Times. Her article covering what we learned from ReThink on workplace equality and sustainability will be out early next week!
Small Strides Towards Equality
Same-sex parents who are a de facto family unit can now apply for equal parental rights and enjoy full guardianship over their children
This is a big step forward for the city’s LGBT+ community in its pursuit of equality. However, there are still some challenges for gay male couples.
A more detailed explanation and the social stigma the sexual minorities faced can be found in the article.
Hong Kong’s work spaces are still gender unequal
This SCMP article (paywalled) is an intriguing summary of the gender inequality in workplace. It explains why gender diversity and women's representation in leading roles are much needed to be pushed and promoted.
Attend and Befriend
OutLoud Hong Kong is longest-running English poetry collective in Hong Kong. It meets on the first Wednesday of every month at The Aftermath. Taking a slightly more academic stance on poetry, this literary gathering often shares style and writings of poetry. Aside from poetry, the OutLoud Hong Kong also hosts book launches. Read out your favourite poems and discover new writers at these monthly meet-ups. All you need to do is simply join in and it’s completely free.
The Conscious Festival is an educational and festive event that aims to be a curated platform to raise awareness about sustainable consumption and lifestyle choices— how we can make better decisions about the way we live. This is achieved through a mindful marketplace that brings together various conscious local and international brands to consumers in Hong Kong and transformational talks by experts, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, and business owners who are working restlessly to create meaningful impacts in their industries.
Annual social events for LGBTQ+ students in Hong Kong
My own QSA society hosts back-to-school parties are held at the beginning of every semester, providing a friendly environment for LGBTQ+ university students and allies to meet new friends and party with like-minded people. The nights include drinks, games, lucky draws, drag shows and more.
Beth’s secret poem
Even those who spend all day fighting for social justice has to have some time to themselves! When she’s not advocating for … all the rights … Beth is also a poet.
Subscribers get to watch her perform the poem she wrote for Pride Month - and trust me it’s good.
Shops to Support
Sally Coco is a local adult store that, contrary to most adult shops, promotes sex positivity as part of their core business model. They try to bring an open attitude into the sex lives of all their customers regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Their products include toys, contraception, lingerie and more.
Hong Kong’s first zero-waste store. Their shelves are lined with help-yourself dry groceries, soaps, cleaners and oils. All you need to do is bring in your own container, take everything you need, weigh it and pay. Simple steps and they help cut down on unused goods.
There was a lot of news today
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