Finalists of the 2016 Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards Announced

HONG KONG, April 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Business, a leading not-for-profit organisation promoting responsible and inclusive business practices in Asia, today announced the finalists for its 2016 Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards ("Awards"). The final winners in eleven different award categories will be announced at a Gala Dinner to be held on Tuesday, 17 May 2016 at the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong Hotel, in commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).  

Announcement Video: https://www.facebook.com/time4changehk/videos/1773200312924444/ 

The Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards are the only awards honouring and celebrating LGBT Inclusion in Hong Kong. Following a strong response in the inaugural year of the Awards in 2015, Community Business has introduced a number of important new awards for 2016, expanding the award categories from four to eleven to recognise the individuals, companies, and organisations that are making a difference. Recognising the role these awards have in promoting LGBT equality and inclusion in the Hong Kong workplace and community, the award nominations have been assessed based on the extent to which they are strategic, proactive, impactful and sustainable.

"The large number and high caliber of the entries this year made it a challenging task to shortlist and select the final winners," said Fern Ngai, Chief Executive Officer of Community Business, "However, this positive response is an encouraging demonstration of the increased focus and commitment we are seeing by leading companies in Hong Kong to promoting LGBT inclusion - in their workplaces and beyond.  The finalists in each award category have all demonstrated outstanding performance and we invite the Hong Kong community to join us in congratulating each and every one of them for the work they are doing to make Hong Kong a more open and inclusive society."

CORPORATE AWARDS

1. LGBT Network Award

• To recognise an employee network that has played a proactive role in promoting strong engagement with and commitment to local Hong Kong LGBT employees

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by company name)

• Hong Kong LGBT Pride & Ally Network, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
• Asia ex-Japan LGBT Network, Goldman Sachs
• LGBT & Allies Network, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

2. LGBT Workplace Inclusion Initiative Award sponsored by BNY Mellon

• To recognise an initiative introduced by a company that has had a significant and positive impact in promoting LGBT workplace inclusion in their workplace in Hong Kong.

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by company name)

• The Credit Suisse Hong Kong Ally Programme "Proud to be an LGBT Ally" by Credit Suisse
• "Breaking Barriers" by Hogan Lovells
• "Role Models" by Morgan Stanley

3. LGBT Inclusion Award - SME sponsored by Herbert Smith Freehills

• To recognise an SME (small or medium-sized enterprise) that has promoted LGBT inclusion externally and/or internally in Hong Kong

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by company name)

• Cranes Media Company
• Daylight Partnership Limited
• Infinity Financial Solutions Ltd

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

4. LGBT Ally Award sponsored by Allen & Overy

• To recognise an ally who does not identify as LGBT based in Hong Kong who has taken proactive and effective steps to promote an LGBT inclusive culture in the organisation

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by first name)

• Allan Wardrop, Partner, Hogan Lovells
• Julie Shirley, Managing Director, APAC Division, Operations Department, Credit Suisse
• Kent Wasson, Head of the Cross Divisional Projects and Architecture Team, Asia Pacific, Goldman Sachs

5. LGBT Executive Sponsor Award sponsored by J.P. Morgan

• To recognise a senior executive sponsor based in Hong Kong who has used his/her influence to promote LGBT inclusion internally and/or externally

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by first name)

• Justin D'Agostino, Global Head of Practice - Dispute Resolution, Regional Managing Partner - Asia and Australia, Herbert Smith Freehills
• Noel Quinn, Group General Manager, Group Chief Executive Officer, Global Commercial Banking, HSBC
• Steven Victorin, Head of Asia Pacific Corporate Banking and Global Head of Corporate Banking Subsidiaries, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

6. LGBT Inclusion Champion Award sponsored by State Street

• To recognise an employee based in Hong Kong who has taken proactive and effective steps to create an LGBT inclusive culture in their organisation

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by first name)

• Celine Tan, Vice President, Prime Brokerage, J.P. Morgan
• Jack Guest, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, HSBC
• Paul Choi, Executive Director, Human Capital Management Division, Goldman Sachs
• Peter Sargant, Director, Investors & Intermediaries Transaction Banking, Hong Kong, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

7. LGBT Youth Champion Award sponsored by Bank of America Merrill Lynch

• To recognise a young person who has taken proactive and effective steps to promote LGBT inclusion amongst young people at their place of study, in their community or in their organisation (not private sector) in Hong Kong

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by first name)

• Geoffrey Yeung
• Iris Lo
• Jason Chan

8. Transgender Inclusion Champion Award sponsored by HSBC

• To recognise an individual / organisation that has taken a proactive role in raising awareness and championing transgender issues in Hong Kong

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by first name)

• Joanne Leung, Chairperson, Transgender Resource Centre
• Kaspar Wan, Founder, Gender Empowerment
• Mimi Wong, Founder,  Association of World Citizens Hong Kong China

COMMUNITY AWARDS

9. LGBT Advocacy Award (Individual/Organisation)

• To recognise an individual / organisation that has advocated for legal and/or social change and progress around LGBT inclusion in Hong Kong

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by first name)

• Brian Leung
• Equal Opportunities Commission and Gender Research Centre, Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Michael Vidler

10. LGBT Community Impact Award sponsored by Goldman Sachs

• To recognise a community-based LGBT initiative that has had a significant positive impact in promoting LGBT inclusion in Hong Kong in 2015

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by name of initiative) 

• Dr. Rainbow Scheme by AIDS Concern
• Gay and Grey
• GDot TV by Nu Tong Xue She
• Pink Dot by BigLove Alliance and Pink Alliance

11. LGBT Marketing Campaign Award

• To recognise a marketing campaign in mainstream or social media which has incorporated and/or promoted LGBT inclusion in Hong Kong

Finalists (listed in alphabetic order by name of initiative) 

• Chrysanthemum Tea Campaign by AIDS Concern
• Pink Dot by BigLove Alliance and Pink Alliance
• United by Diversity by HSBC

To assist with the selection of the final winner for each award, Community Business convened a judging panel comprising of one external expert in the relevant field and/or one senior executive from the award sponsor, where applicable, and two judges from Community Business.

For more details about each of the finalists, please visit http://www.communitybusiness.org/hklgbtindex/2016_Awards/Award_Finalists_2016.html.

The final winner for each of the awards will be announced at the Gala Dinner being held on 17 May 2016 at the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong Hotel, in commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).  

Tickets are selling fast for this prestigious event where over 300 guests will celebrate and acknowledge leadership and commitment to LGBT inclusion. To commemorate IDAHOT, guests are encouraged to wear purple or a touch of purple with their business or formal attire.

For details about the 2016 Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards and Gala Dinner, including how to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.communitybusiness.org/hklgbtindex/2016_Awards/2016Galadinner.html

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About Community Business

Community Business is a not-for-profit organisation (Hong Kong Charity Number 91/6560) whose mission is to lead, inspire and support businesses to have a positive impact on people and communities. Recognised as a thought leader in corporate responsibility and diversity and inclusion in Asia, Community Business conducts research, facilitates networks and events, leads campaigns and provides consultancy and training.  With a focus on responsible business, our work is aligned to 5 mission-led themes:

• Investing and supporting local communities
• Tackling inequality in the workplace
• Ensuring happy, healthy, and engaged employees
• Promoting social inclusion
• Building responsible business leadership

Founded in 2003 and based in Hong Kong with a presence in India and the United Kingdom, Community Business works with companies of all sizes and from diverse industries across Asia, harnessing the power of business to drive social change. For more information, please visit http://www.communitybusiness.org.