Tuesday, 30 May 2017

Asia's second LGBT+ Choir festival: Hand in Hand Seoul 2017




Are you ready? The Harmonics of Hong Kong are going to Asia's second LGBT Choir festival: Hand in Hand Seoul 2017! Taking place every two years, 2017's festival takes place in Seoul, South Korea from 2-4 June 2017 with a very special concert on 4 Jun featuring performances from 8 Proud Voices Asia choirs from around the continent and beyond. We are so happy to see so many LGBT choirs coming together in Asia and especially proud to see that the Harmonics are part of this extraordinary event and helping to represent and support Gay Games Hong Kong 2022! The term ‘Gay Games’ can be a bit misleading as this sporting and cultural event isn’t just for the LGBT+ community. It’s for anyone and everyone who loves sports and cultural events!

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The Hand in Hand Seoul 2017 festival features choirs from China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, as well as singers from Europe and North America. This beautiful harmony is not to be missed!

Be sure to also come and watch 'The Harmonics' first live concert as they 'Sing as One!' Saturday, June 10. This event will feature special guest LGBT-friendly choirs from London Pink Singers and Barberfellas as well as Hong Kong's very own Elements Choir. Do not miss this international collaboration of established and new LGBT choirs from across the globe!

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The Gay Games are about more than sports and competition, it’s also about showcasing all of the unique local culture in the diverse population of Hong Kong. And one of the key cultural elements that proudly makes the Gay Games so diverse and distinctive is the choral festival! As the first ever Asian city to host the Gay Games, Hong Kong will have a pivotal role to play in ensuring that such an international sporting and cultural event will enrich and promote the LGBT+ choral culture throughout the Asia Pacific region.


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Lloyd’s CEO Dame Inga Beale supports Asia’s bid to host the Gay Games in Hong Kong 2022!





With it’s 328-year-old history, Lloyd's is the centre of the UK market and Lloyd’s CEO Dame Inga Beale is speaking out her support for Gay Games Hong Kong 2022! Dame Inga Beale is openly bi-sexual and is the world's 2nd most influential LGBT executives according to the Financial Times 2016 OUTLeader survey. The Gay Games are more than a rainbow-colored Olympics, they are a quadrennial sporting event that invites straight and queer athletes of all nationalities, ages, abilities and skill levels to participate on a world stage. Hong Kong is the first Asian city to be shortlisted, thanks to a winning bid submitted by LGBT+ group Out in HK.


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It’s not the first time Dame Inga Beale has come out in support of the LGBT+ community. Just last year she discussed gender diversity, her childhood and being “sporty” and an overview of her life as a bisexual in an interview with OUTstanding.


As you can see Dame Inga Beale is an inspiration to us all as a businesswoman and LGBT+ advocate and her support for Hong Kong to be selected as the host city for Gay Games 2022  is more than welcome!

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Organizers estimate that more than a one billion dollars will be pumped into the Hong Kong economy if the games are held here. The Gay Games would make positive long-term impacts on Hong Kong’s overall well-being as well as LGBT+ rights long after the games have ended. The Hong Kong bid is supported by government organizations like the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Equal Opportunities Commission, and is seen as a big step up for gay rights in a traditionally conservative city.

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Dragon Boat Racing Season and Event at Gay Games Hong Kong 2022




It’s was a stunning sight to watch the Dragon Boat festival, a day that was filled with gripping, adrenaline fuelled dragon boat racing on water. This year we were proud to cheer on the Interbank Dragon Boat Team in the Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Championship Race! This is the largest dragon boat race in the world!
If you love a challenge, teamwork, and water, then dragon boat racing is your sport- definitely consider registering for to be part of the event at #GGHK2022. Whether you’re on the water or simply watching, everyone enjoys this sport- and Hong Kong will be the first city to include dragon boat in the 2022 Gay Games!

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Dragon Boat races across Hong Kong are watched by thousands of onlookers these days. All of whom boisterously add to the noise of the starting guns and the banging of the drums. Traditionally these races were held by local fisherman in the past, but now dragon boat competitions attract both local and international teams with crews of 20 to 80 people. For festive purposes, the long and narrow canoe-shaped boats are colourfully ornamented with Chinese dragon heads and tails at the bow and stern of the boats, respectively. Dragon boat racing officially became an international sport in 1976 and is now being promoted by The Hong Kong Tourism Board, and aims on bringing this humble Chinese tradition to the world!

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If you missed the Dragon Boat Festival on 30th May 2017, not to worry, because the excitement continues in June 2017 with the Dragon Boat Carnival from June 2 - 4, 2017 and the Stanley Dragon Boat Short-Course Races on June 18, 2017. On the Cultural front, the Chinese Opera Festival is kicking off this month and will run through mid-August.

With your help, Hong Kong will be the first Asian city to host the Gay Games since its inception in 1982! And it will be the first time ever that Dragon Boat racing will be part of this international multi-sport and culture festival. Come, join hands with Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 and help make it happen!

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Big Thanks to Linklaters for hosting HKGALA in support of Gay Games XI Hong Kong 2022



Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 was very proud to be the guests of honor at the Third Anniversary Party of the Hong Kong Gay and Lesbian Attorneys Network (HKGALA) hosted by Linklaters.  HKGALA is the first and leading Hong Kong organization dedicated to promoting LGBT diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. The 34,000 raised at HKGALA’s Third Anniversary Party Sponsored by Linklaters went toward supporting Hong Kong's bid for the Gay Games in 2022. Founded in San Francisco in 1982, the Gay Games are the world's largest sporting and cultural event led by LGBT athletes, artists, and musicians!  

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Robert Resnick, husband of Stewart Chippindale COO of Linklaters holds the Donation box for Doug White, CEO of PRDA

HKGALA proudly represents a network of 36 supporting firms and over 500 individual members and supporters, including lawyers, trainees, law firm staff and in-house legal departments, law students, legal recruiters, and those in the legal field in academia, government and nonprofit organizations in Hong Kong. In the past they’ve organized other events like Hong Kong's first-Ever LGBT-focused Networking Event for Summer interns and entry-Level Professionals in the Legal and finance industries and hosted a fundraiser for  Pink Dot HK 2015 as well as raising funds for Pink Alliance, a Hong Kong-based non-Profit organization Devoted to LGBT rights advocacy.

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This year’s fundraising choice was in preparation for being chosen by the Gay Games Federation to host the Gay Games in Asia for the first time ever in 2022. The Gay Games is a world-class sporting and cultural festival organized by the LGBT+ community every four years to which everyone is welcome to participate regardless of sexual orientation, ability or gender.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can download the complete Bid Book here. You can also show your support for GGHK2022 by donating- every contribution matters!

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Tender, Roasted Omega-3 Pork: Reverse-Sear Method



Wondering how to roast pork so that it’s juicy and tender on the inside and has a nice brown crust on the outside? The reverse-sear method works perfectly every time! The pork is cooked perfectly throughout and the crust is dark and crunchy. The crisp crust is because the roast goes straight from the very hot oven to the table with no time to rest, steam and lose that texture. A brilliant basic technique that leads to a soft juicy inside (nearly as soft as pulled pork) and all kinds of good crunchy meat and fat on the outside. This is a great time to try Flodins delicious, juicy and tender pork, which is simple to cook to perfection.
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Here’s how to do it:

  1. Look for a pork roast that has some fat marbling, you want that mouth-watering taste right? Flodins pork has a high  a high content of Omega-3 healthy fats, which melt faster and become deliciously infused while cooking- creating juicy, succulent pork meat!
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  1. Let your pork roast sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour. Preheat the oven temperature to 150°C or 300°F.
  2. Season the pork roast all over with salt and pepper.
  3. Set your roast fat-side up, in a large roasting pan. Add about 2 cm or ½ an inch of chicken broth to the bottom of your pan and roast your Omega-3 pork uncovered.
    1. How long should you roast your pork for? Until the internal temperature is about 78-80°C or 172- 176°F. (Approx 40 minutes per pound at 150°C or 300°F.)
  4. When it gets to about 80°C or 176°F, take your pork roast out of the oven and rest for 30-40 minutes. This is important because this is the only time the roast will rest.
    1. Tip: Use this resting time to finish off your side dishes and make a splendid gravy using that gorgeous brown liquid.
  5. Preheat the oven to 250°C or 475°F. Set your roast into a clean baking sheet, when the oven is hot put your pork in for 13-17 minutes, uncovered. You want the outside to get really nice and brown and the fat to get crunchy.
  6. Carve and serve!  You already rested your pork roast in step 5 so don’t let it rest now. Carve it immediately.

Isn’t this the yummiest way to roast pork? It’s low and slow so that it’s tender, just the way you want it. And the outside is all brown and crunchy and full of flavor!

Ready to try roasting delicious Omega-3 pork now? Try this reverse-sear technique on a flavourful and comforting dish that makes use of Flodins Omega-3 pork collar, apple, artichoke, and prunes! Click here for the recipe.

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Friday, 26 May 2017

The Transformative Nature of Sports: The Effect of Sports on People’s Lives



The 2017 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is the biggest sporting events in Hong Kong and has had an enormous and unique impact on the community. From the professional players to international visitors to local fans, the Hong Kong Sevens has changed the lives of many. Much in the same way, Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 has high hopes for a long-term impact across Asia. The Gay Games focuses on acceptance of all, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and sporting abilities. The term ‘Gay Games’ can be a bit misleading as this sporting and cultural event isn’t just for the LGBT community. It’s for anyone and everyone who loves sports and cultural events!

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Hong Kong residents and visitors shared with The South Morning China Post how the unique event has had an impact on their lives.

  • Chris Kaufman, a New York-based correspondent, waited all night in queue for tickets to the 1993 Hong Kong Sevens at Victoria Park.  There he met the “person who was to become the love of his life.” A year and a bit later, they were married, aptly on Sevens weekend.
  • Jimy Mugabo, Sevens coach, realized his dream in 2010 of travelling to Hong Kong and watching the Sevens for the first time in person. After a life living on the streets of Kigali, this was no easy feat! “I met many great rugby people like Waisale Serevi, who was for me a hero. I made great friends who even supported me with my education. Without the Hong Kong Sevens, I could not have become the person I am today.”
  • Melvin Byres, Rugby fan and sports consultant, remembers taking a photo with Waisale Serevi pitchside in the old stadium in 1992. 20 years later he started working with Serevi as one of the HKRU tournament ambassadors. The Sevens has changed Byres life forever, enriching his sporting, social and career. “I would not have been in a position to set up my own events consultancy and the Business Of Sport Network had I not been involved in the Sevens.”

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Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 will strive to have gender parity in most sports through targeted outreach and advertising while recognizing the reality that many sports are more popular with some genders. Scholarship opportunities will be offered as described in the scholarship section to ensure that barriers are reduced for participants from countries all over Asia and the world. The event includes everything that the Hong Kong’s diverse and multifaceted culture has to offer and benefits everyone on the whole, especially the LGBT community. We are confident that Hong Kong can deliver the most diverse Gay Games yet!

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Hong Kong Sevens: Multicultural Celebration with Diversity for all




The 2017 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is one of the biggest sporting events in Hong Kong and the premier tournament on the World Rugby Sevens Series 2016-17. Taking place at Hong Kong Stadium, it drew 40 International Teams and 120,000 spectators for 3 days of non-stop action and fun! Since its humble beginnings as an event to increase popularity of rugby in Asia, the Hong Kong Sevens has transformed into a multicultural celebration of sports and competition and  is a planned sporting event for Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 (GGHK2022).

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Rugby Sevens events are planned to be hosted in the Hong Kong Stadium, and governed by GGHK2022 supporters- the International Gay Rugby Association and Hong Kong Rugby Union.

GGHK2022 Ambassador and Hong Kong international rugby union player, Ed Rolston says:
“I joined as an ambassador since I believe rugby as a sport is an extremely difficult environment for anybody gay to come out. I would love to do what I can to break the stigma, break down barriers for people within the sport and give anybody that is gay and plays rugby the courage to know they have my support as well as the support of the community. In doing this, hopefully the sport as a whole will become much more accepting and open. I can’t see a more worthy city or a city that needs it more than Hong Kong.”

Like the Gay Games, the Hong Kong Sevens are open to everyone regardless of sexual orientation.

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Gay Games Hong Kong 2022 will be an empowering experience for all - anyone can participate- regardless of ability, age, sexual orientation, race, gender, nationality, political or religious beliefs, ethnic origins, or HIV status- and let their passion for sports bloom without fear of being judged or stigmatized. Show your support by following #GGHK2022 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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