| I’ll never forget the night after our Out Leadership Asia VIP Dinner in 2013 when I stood in the street in front of HSBC’s iconic Hong Kong headquarters and saw the amazing Norman Foster-designed building lit up in rainbow colors for the very first time! (after 37 years of only red and white)
The shock hadn’t quite worn off from earlier in the evening, when Noel Quinn “flipped the switch” 42 floors above (with “All of the Lights” playing), and we could literally feel the building shudder with the epic change!
The energy on the street around the building that night only magnified the moment, from crowds on each corner to the DingDing (tram) literally taking the longest stop I’d ever seen at the base of the building so everyone could take pictures.
And they weren’t the only ones! A couple months later, the team shared that lighting of the building was their biggest press event ever that entire year. In that moment, it was lit up for the world to see and a declaration to the entire region that LGBTQ+ equality mattered, and that business could lead the way. |
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That bold gesture sent shockwaves far beyond Hong Kong. Over the years, whether with HSBC and the Rainbow Lions that followed, or the other headquarters that they re-lit in rainbow colors from India to Toronto, that spark turned into something so much bigger, that has pushed LGBTQ+ inclusion forward in so many ways, in so many countries.
Challenges and setbacks still exist, but there has been a wave of real progress across Asia—and it feels so encouraging.
This year alone, we’ve seen Thailand become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, celebrated with mass weddings and a Pride parade where even the Prime Minister stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the community.
In Hong Kong, the top court recently ordered the government to recognize same-sex partnerships within two years.
Pride is growing louder in Seoul and even in Kathmandu, and across the region, businesses are stepping up in ways we could only dream about a decade ago.
And here’s the part that’s hitting me lately—while my home country of the United States is rolling back protections, Asia is reminding us what forward momentum can look like. It shows us that progress isn’t a straight line, and that leadership can come from anywhere.
To help set the stage, I’m thrilled to share that in our upcoming Leadership Lounge, we’ll be joined by Jack Guest, former Global Director of Inclusion at HSBC, offering a candid look at the realities shaping LGBTQ+ progress in Asia. |
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Because while there is much to celebrate, it’s not all roses. Recently Hong Kong’s iconic Pink Dot, which has historically drawn tens of thousands to celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility at an annual outdoor event, was denied it’s application for its usual venue without explanation–a reminder of the continued resistance our community faces.
That’s why our Asia Summit this October feels so important. We’ll be bringing together C-suite leaders, rising talent, policymakers, and advocates to ask the big questions: What does inclusion look like in a rapidly changing Asia? How can business be a catalyst for the next leap forward?
And that’s why I’d also love your advice and counsel as we deepen our work in Asia, what should Out Leadership’s mission look like? Where should we focus our efforts?
But before we get there, we have so many moments to connect and build together—our OutNEXT Global Summit in New York on September 9–10, where 200 incredible LGBTQ+ and Ally rising leaders will gather, our topical webinars diving into the issues shaping inclusion right now, our Australia Summit, and our Boston VIP Gathering for senior leaders who want to connect in a high-trust space.
And for the first time ever, with our new tiered individual membership structure, there’s truly a place for everyone—no matter where you are or whether your company is a member. It’s a more accessible way to stay connected, share in this momentum, and make sure you’re part of the rooms where the future is being shaped.
With pride and partnership,
Todd Sears
Founder & CEO |
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| Register for the OutNEXT Global Summit! |
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Our biggest and most anticipated event of the year is almost here– the 2025 OutNEXT Global Summit! Hosted by Citi in New York on September 9th & 10th, this two-day leadership development program is like no other in the world-–bringing together 200 LGBTQ+ rising rockstar leaders and Allies, nominated by their companies for their contributions and leadership promise.
These are professionals looking to build careers where they can be out, proud, and powerful, capturing what we like to call their true OutVantage.™
This incredible gathering informs and energizes with stellar guest speakers inspiring executive-led sessions, thought-provoking panels, and candid fireside chats that dive into what it really means to lead with authenticity, visibility, and influence. There will be an interactive social team challenge, mentoring and did we mention it’s also a fun and electric atmosphere with real connections being made!
More than a summit—it’s a celebration of possibility! |
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| Register for The Out Hour! |
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| You’ve asked for our help. And we heard you.
At Out Leadership, we’re in a unique position to hear the concerns of companies across industries, and we’re here to offer thoughtful, practical support.
This Series is inspired by heartfelt conversations with our members who are facing a wave of new realities, from shifting government policies to evolving workplace practices and renewed scrutiny around diversity and inclusion.
You’ve asked how to support employees through uncertainty, how to communicate with care, and what’s working in other organizations.
Our response is to bring together experts and peers to share insights, real tools, and a common language to help teams move forward with confidence, wherever you’re starting from. |
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| Minnesota Vikings Defend Male Cheerleaders |
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| The Minnesota Vikings are showing strong support for their two male cheerleaders, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, who have faced homophobic backlash since being announced as part of the 2025 squad. The team introduced all cheerleaders on Instagram, highlighting Shiek and Conn performing routines alongside the rest of the squad. While many fans celebrated the inclusive move, some responded with offensive remarks. The Vikings emphasized that male cheerleaders have long been part of professional and collegiate squads and praised all cheerleaders for their talent and dedication. Fans have flooded the comments with support, praising their skills and encouraging them to “keep shining.” |
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| Two Men Publicly Caned in Indonesia for Hugging and Kissing |
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| In Indonesia’s Aceh province, two men were publicly caned Tuesday after a Shariah court convicted them of violating Islamic law by hugging and kissing in a public park bathroom. Each received 80 lashes with a rattan cane in front of roughly 100 spectators. Aceh, the only Indonesian province enforcing Shariah law, allows up to 100 lashes for morality offenses, including gay sex, adultery, gambling, and alcohol consumption. |
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| Florida Repaints Crosswalk After Protesters Restore Rainbow |
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| Orlando’s Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk was painted black again Sunday by the Florida Transportation Department after protesters repeatedly restored its rainbow colors with chalk. The crosswalk, installed in 2017 to honor the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, was initially painted over last week.
Survivor Brandon Wolf criticized the heavy police presence at the crosswalk, tweeting, “More officers babysitting the crosswalk than there were security guards watching the front door of Pulse the night 49 people were murdered. By a lot.” Protesters have returned daily to color the crosswalk rainbow, often under the watch of Florida Highway Patrol troopers, who allow chalk but not paint. |
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| “A-Gays” Gain Influence in Trump Administration |
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A New York Times feature spotlights a growing group of openly gay men, dubbed the “A-Gays,” holding key roles in President Trump’s administration. Figures include Charles Moran at the National Nuclear Security Administration, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, pollster Tony Fabrizio, and Kennedy Center leader Richard Grenell.
These officials, largely conservative, now wield influence across the Pentagon, State Department, and Treasury, navigating the tension between their political affiliations and the broader LGBTQ community, especially around D.C. |
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| Queer Art Exhibits Altered or Canceled Amid Political Pressures |
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A wave of cancellations and postponements is raising concerns about censorship of LGBTQ art in U.S. museums. Last month, artist Amy Sherald pulled her planned solo show American Sublime from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery after learning curators questioned her painting Trans Forming Liberty, which depicts a Black trans woman as the Statue of Liberty. Other institutions have taken similar steps: Washington’s Art Museum of the Americas canceled Nature’s Wild With Andil Gosine in February, Arizona’s Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art altered a traveling queer and trans artists’ exhibition, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art postponed its LGBTQ-themed show until 2026.
Curators and scholars say the trend reflects heightened political scrutiny under the Trump administration, which has directed museums to strip “improper” ideology from programming. |
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