Winners of the 2016 Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards Announced

HONG KONG, May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Business, a leading not-for-profit organisation promoting responsible and inclusive business practices in Asia, revealed the winners of its 2016 Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards ("Awards"), in 11 different award categories at a Gala Dinner last night in commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). Celebrating achievements in promoting equality and inclusion for Lesbian, Gay,  Bi-Sexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals in Hong Kong, over 300 guests joined the Gala Dinner at the Island Shangri-La Hotel tonight, including business executives and leaders, LGBT advocates and champions, representatives from the British, Canadian and US Consulate Generals and the European Union Office in Hong Kong and Macao, as well as the new chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission of Hong Kong.

Photo link: www.communitybusiness.org/events/2016/160517_HKLGBTA2016_Gala_Dinner.htm

The winners of the 2016 Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards

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 introduced a number of important new awards for 2016, expanding the award categories from 4 to 11 to recognise the individuals, companies, and organisations that are adopting a strategic, proactive, impactful and sustainable approach to LGBT inclusion. A total of 100 nominations were received for the 11 award categories this year. To assist with the selection of the final winner for each award, Community Business convened a judging panel comprising an external expert in the relevant field and/or a senior executive from the award sponsor, where applicable, and two judges from Community Business.

"We applaud the award winners for the outstanding work that they are doing in Hong Kong and for Hong Kong," said Fern Ngai, Chief Executive Officer of Community Business. "Each of these 11 awards acknowledges an important part of the overall effort which collectively makes a better, more inclusive Hong Kong, both in the workplace and in the wider community.  We congratulate all finalists who are truly the pioneers, the innovators and the change makers. I can say that on behalf of my fellow judges that we were inspired and impressed by their work and firm commitment to LGBT inclusion. Yet there is much more work to be done.  It's time for change and Hong Kong needs each of every one of us to continue to show leadership and dedication to this cause, inspiring more companies, organisations and individuals to follow."

The 2016 winners of the Hong Kong LGBT Inclusion Awards are:

CORPORATE AWARDS

1.     LGBT Network Award

• LGBT Network, Goldman Sachs

2.     LGBT Workplace Inclusion Initiative Award sponsored by BNY Mellon

• "Role Models" by Morgan Stanley

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

• Cranes Media Company

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

4.     LGBT Ally Award sponsored by Allen & Overy

• Julie Shirley, Managing Director, APAC Division, Operations Department, Credit Suisse

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

• Justin D'Agostino, Global Head of Practice - Dispute Resolution and Regional Managing Partner - Asia and Australia, Herbert Smith Freehills

6.     LGBT Inclusion Champion Award sponsored by State Street (joint winners)

• Jack Guest, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, HSBC
• Paul Choi, Executive Director, Human Capital Management Division, Goldman Sachs

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

• Iris Lo

8.     Transgender Inclusion Champion Award sponsored by HSBC

• Kaspar Wan, Founder, Gender Empowerment

COMMUNITY AWARDS

9.     LGBT Advocacy Award (Individual/Organisation)

• Equal Opportunities Commission and Gender Research Centre, Chinese University of Hong Kong

10.  LGBT Community Impact Award sponsored by Goldman Sachs

• Pink Dot by BigLove Alliance and Pink Alliance

11.  LGBT Marketing Campaign Award

• Chrysanthemum Tea Campaign by AIDS Concern

For more details about the award winners, please visit http://www.communitybusiness.org/hklgbtindex/2016_Awards/Award_Winners_2016.html

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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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. A recognised leader in promoting responsible and inclusive business practices in Asia, Community Business conducts research, facilitates networks and events, leads campaigns and provides consultancy and training.  Our focus on responsible business 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.

©2016 Community Business Limited.  All rights reserved.  Reproduction and dissemination of this document (in whole or in part) is not allowed without prior written permission of Community Business Limited and due acknowledgment of authorship. If use of this document (in whole or in part) will generate income for the licensee, prior written permission to that effect must be obtained from Community Business Limited.  To obtain permission, write to ip@communitybusiness.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160518/8521603188