Cantonese pop singer Denise Ho has come out as gay in her first appearance at Hong Kong Pride on 10 November.
Amid the cheers of some 4,000 Pride-goers, she said, "I would like to proudly declare here that I am tongzhi (a Chinese slang word for gay)," the 35-year-old singer told the crowd. ‘’As a celebrity, I think I have an obligation, a duty to stand forward for the sake of love and equality,"
She is the first mainstream female singer in Hong Kong to have come out, following in fellow pop singer Anthony Wong's footsteps last year.
The 35-year-old singer explained her decision to come out despite her belief that her sexual orientation should be a private matter.
"For many years, when I faced questions from the media, I always felt that sexual orientation is a personal matter, that there is no need to label yourself or tell the public. But in 2012 when one would expect more acceptance and progress (in terms of gay equality), I find that there is still discrimination and prejudice. I feel that silence is no longer an option," she said to great applause. She acknowledged that coming out can be a difficult decision for many as one may face discrimination at work, with friends and at home.
Amid the cheers of some 4,000 Pride-goers, she said, "I would like to proudly declare here that I am tongzhi (a Chinese slang word for gay)," the 35-year-old singer told the crowd. ‘’As a celebrity, I think I have an obligation, a duty to stand forward for the sake of love and equality,"
She is the first mainstream female singer in Hong Kong to have come out, following in fellow pop singer Anthony Wong's footsteps last year.
The 35-year-old singer explained her decision to come out despite her belief that her sexual orientation should be a private matter.
"For many years, when I faced questions from the media, I always felt that sexual orientation is a personal matter, that there is no need to label yourself or tell the public. But in 2012 when one would expect more acceptance and progress (in terms of gay equality), I find that there is still discrimination and prejudice. I feel that silence is no longer an option," she said to great applause. She acknowledged that coming out can be a difficult decision for many as one may face discrimination at work, with friends and at home.
Denise Ho with her parents
"I really should have done this a few of years ago, but I just didn’t have the right chance," Ho said. "My biggest concern was my company and job. By speaking out, you may lose some chances, face extra problems and get unexpected results but still fail to change the status quo immediately. However, as a public figure, I think if I can add my voice and give a bit of a boost to the fight for equal rights, then I think my personal concerns are simply trivial."
Hugging her parents in tears after the announcement, Ho told reporters she started telling executives at her record label, friends and family just the day before.
"We don’t know how inclusive and progressive society is," she said. "So high-profile public figures like us have to test the waters."
See the crowd's reaction to Ho's announcement in the video above and watch one of her MTVs below.
From: Fridae, Gay Star News, Huffington Post
Hugging her parents in tears after the announcement, Ho told reporters she started telling executives at her record label, friends and family just the day before.
"We don’t know how inclusive and progressive society is," she said. "So high-profile public figures like us have to test the waters."
See the crowd's reaction to Ho's announcement in the video above and watch one of her MTVs below.
From: Fridae, Gay Star News, Huffington Post
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