Around the globe, awards and events that shine a light on LGBT+ inclusion are an important way for the LGBT+ community and allies to continue to push for equality. This is especially true in parts of the world where discrimination towards LGBT+ people is an everyday struggle.
In that spirit, we are delighted to highlight the Out Leadership member firms who have been named as finalists for this year’s 2020 Hong Kong LGBT+ Inclusion Awards. This annual event is hosted by one of the leading non-profit organizations in Asia, Community Business.
Since 2015, the LGBT+ Inclusion Awards celebrates efforts to promote LGBT+ equality and inclusion in the workplace and community by providing a platform for the finalists to amplify their work. It is encouraging to see that LGBT+ inclusion appears to have become central to D&I strategies in Hong Kong.
LGBT+ Network Award (sponsored by Credit Suisse)
Three of the four finalists are Out Leadership member firms in this category which recognizes an employee network that has played a proactive role in promoting LGBT+ inclusion and demonstrating strong engagement with, and commitment to, local Hong Kong LGBT+ employees.
- HSBC Pride HK (Out Leadership Member Firm)
- J.P. Morgan PRIDE Hong Kong
- Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited – Nomura LGBT+ Network AEJ (Out Leadership Member Firm)
- Thomson Reuters Pride at Work (Out Leadership Member Firm)
LGBT+ Executive Sponsor Award
All three finalists in this category are Out Leadership member firms that recognize a senior executive sponsor based in Hong Kong who has spoken up and used their influence to promote LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace and beyond in Hong Kong.
- Bill Greene, Morgan Stanley (Out Leadership Member Firm)
- Matt Bower, Allen & Overy (Out Leadership Member Firm)
- Richard John Seeley, HSBC (Out Leadership Member Firm)
LGBT+ Inclusion Champion Award (sponsored by Thomson Reuters)
Two of the four finalists in this category are Out Leadership member firms that recognize an LGBT+ employee based in Hong Kong who has taken proactive and effective steps to promote an LGBT+ inclusive culture in the workplace and beyond in Hong Kong.
- Caxton Chung, Nomura International (Hong Kong) Limited (Out Leadership Member Firm)
- Michael Lam, Goldman Sachs (Out Leadership Member Firm)
- Jennifer Feng, Kirkland & Ellis
- Louis Ng, Fidelity International
LGBT+ Ally Award (sponsored by AXA)
Two of the three finalists in the Ally Award category are Out Leadership member firms that recognize LGBT+ allies who have demonstrated personal passion and commitment to promoting LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace and beyond in Hong Kong.
- Imaan Bhatia, HSBC (Out Leadership Member Firm)
- Sean Navin, Goldman Sachs (Out Leadership Member Firm)
- Nathalie Hobbs, Linklaters
LGBT+ Advocacy Award (sponsored by Manulife)
Out Leadership member firm Allen & Overy has been named as a finalist in the LGBT Advocacy Award which recognizes an individual or organization which has contributed to the advancement of LGBT+ equality and inclusion in Hong Kong through advocating for legal and/or social change.
LGBT+ Youth Champion Award
We are also delighted to see Aaron Chan Chun Tat, who works at one of our newest member firms, DLA Piper named as a finalist in the LGBT+ Youth Champion Award. This award recognizes a young person (age 30 and below) who has advocated for and championed LGBT+ inclusion in Hong Kong, or a community organization which has advocated for and championed LGBT+ youth inclusion in Hong Kong.
You can read more about the award categories and finalists here.