Young China Watchers London: A Discussion of LGBTQ+ Progress and Activism in China
With Ivy Wong (DNI Consulting), Jessie Lau (NüVoices) and AJ Song (PartyFit, Beijing)
Saturday, April 17, 2021
– 11:00am (London)
– 12:00pm (Berlin & Brussels)
– 6:00pm (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong & Singapore)
Access via a virtual conference platform – details in an Eventbrite email shortly before the event
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RSVP here
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Visibility for LGBTQ+ peoples across Asia has made significant progress in recent years. Though some areas have regressed under restrictive government policies, sustained activism in mainland China and Hong Kong has unlocked new protections and rights for many of these communities. The recent victories for equality in Taiwan have been an encouraging sign for the region, but barriers still remain when it comes to health, identity, marriage, adoption and religion. YCW is delighted to host Ivy Wong, Jessie Lau and AJ Song to help explain the changes occurring.
BIOGRAPHIES
Ivy Wong is the Co-Founder of Diversity and Inclusion Consulting (DNIC), offering advice and supporting companies in China to promote LGBT+ inclusion in Greater China and Asia. Originally from Hong Kong, Ivy started her LGBT+ journey as an ally from university organising LGBT+ job fair, and subsequently leading Hong Kong LGBT+ workplace inclusion Index for three years. Relocated to Shanghai in 2018, she has been part of the driving force to promote LGBT+ inclusion with companies in China.
Jessie Lau is a writer from Hong Kong covering China and the Asia Pacific from an intersectional feminist perspective. Her work has been published by The Guardian, Foreign Policy, Channel 4 News and The Economist, among others. Now based in London, she serves as Board Member and Digital Editor at NüVoices, a global collective supporting women working on China subjects. She holds a MSc in International History from the London School of Economics, an LLM in International Studies from Peking University, and a BA in English from the University of California, Berkeley. Website: www.laujessie.com. Twitter: @_laujessie
AJ Song is the organizer of the community-led dance workout- PartyFit. Previously worked as the development manager for a grassroots NGO-Beijing Gender Health Education Institute. AJ has raised over 1 million RMB for his organization and his work has supported many programs to advocate and raise awareness for gender equality and sexual diversity throughout China. Originally from Guizhou province, AJ holds an MSc in Marketing and has lived in Beijing for 15 years.
YOUNG CHINA WATCHERS
YCW is a dynamic group of China-focused young professionals. Through regular roundtables and talks with senior figures in the China academic, policy and business communities, it provides a chance for engaged individuals to interact and discuss the most pressing issues emerging from China today. It aims to build a global network, fostering the next generation of China thought-leaders. Website: http://www.youngchinawatchers.com/