Trip to Macau - Hong Kong: Top Sights, Local Life, Made Easy - page 353

Best
Gay & Lesbian
While Hong Kong's gay scene may not have the vibrancy or visibility of cities
like Sydney, it has made huge strides in recent years. Two decades ago, it had no
more than a couple of grotty speakeasies. Today Hong Kong counts more than
two dozen bars and clubs, and just as many gay-oriented saunas.
Attitude to Homosexuality
It was only in 1991 that the Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance removed criminal penalties
for homosexual acts between consenting adults over the age of 18 (the criminal laws
against male homosexuality were initially a product of British colonialism, with a maxim-
um sentence of life imprisonment). Since then, gay groups have been lobbying for legisla-
tion to address the issue of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, but to date
there's still no law against it in Hong Kong. Neither is there legal recognition for same-sex
marriages. That said, Hong Kong Chinese society is, in general, a lot more accepting of ho-
mosexuality than it was 10 years ago.
Top Tips
› For information on Hong Kong Pride Parade visit http://hkpride.
› Les Peches (9101 8001; lespeches [e-mail]) has monthly events for lesbians and bisexual women.
› Dim Sum ( http://dimsum-hk.com ) has free monthly listings.
› Gay-centric travel agent OUTconcorde (2526 3391; www.outconcorde.com ; 1st fl, Galuxe Bldg, 8-10 On Lan St,
Central).
› Gay Home Stay HK (5100 6877; www.gayhomestayhk.com ) offers lodging.
Best Bars & Clubs
T:ME ( Click here ) A small and trendy bar off Holly- wood Rd.
Volume ( Click here ) Cocktail bar with a dance floor.
DYMK ( Click here ) 'Does your mother know?'; an upscale bar.