GAPIMNY

Hong Kong queer activists protest HK govt conversion therapy workshops

Earlier this month, GAPIMNY and QWAVE learned that the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department hired a “psychiatrist” with deep roots to North American “ex-gay” organization Exodus Ministries, to run a series of workshops for Hong Kong social workers on “conversion therapy” and how to funnel queer youth to “christian therapists.” Claiming that homosexuality can be cured by “prayers, counseling, and cold showers,” these quack psychiatrists seek to legitimize what every reputable mental health organization in America has deemed ineffective and dangerous.

We were inspired to learn that queer Hong Kong activists with a group called Rainbow Action mounted a protest of the workshops which garnered international attention. In response, LGBT activist Dan Choi helped mobilize thousands around the world, through a change.org petition, to oppose Hong Kong’s shocking decision to undertake what Rainbow Action calls “the first example of state-sponsored conversion therapy” in the world. GAPIMNY and QWAVE have decided to mobilize and stand in solidarity with our queer siblings in Hong Kong in their struggle to rid their government of state-sponsored homophobia.
GAPIMNY and QWAVE are holding a political action at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade on August 7th. We’re leveraging our relationship with community partners and media outlets to ensure that our Hong Kong siblings know that we stand with them. But in order to stage the best action we can, we’ll need your help to prepare for the event. Come to the event and help make signs, get the talking points, and make preparations for this momentous action.

When: July 29th, 2011

8pm-10pm

Where: LGBT Community Center
208 W 13th Street,
New York NY
Read Rainbow Action’s press release here
This event is open to all