Finalists (listed alphabetically by first name)
Azan Marwah
Barrister-at-law, Gilt Chambers
Azan Marwah is a Hong Kong born independent barrister and mediator, practicing human rights, discrimination, public, commercial, employment and family law. He has dedicated his practice as a barrister to being an advocate for LGBT+ issues and representing the community, both in and out of the courts. He advises a number of charitable organizations in the realm of gender and sexual orientation, and founded Hong Kong Equality, a legal discussion and pressure group to promote LGBT+ rights. As much of Azan’s work involves protracted litigation, he rarely expects final positive results within two years. However, his strong commitment and determination have continued to push him to fight for LGBT+ equality with up-coming plans to do more public lecturing and publishing on how the law can protect and promote equality for the LGBT+ community.
Hong Kong LGBT+ Interbank Forum
Hong Kong LGBT+ Interbank Forum The Interbank was informally established in 2006 and was formally launched in 2016 with a mission to be the leading voice for LGBT+ issues for the financial services industry by advising and facilitating discussions and thought leadership on issues impacting the LGBT+ community. With about 35 members and observers representing global banks, asset management, insurance, and financial services providers, the Interbank has organized and mobilized the finance sector to become an influential voice in the Hong Kong LGBT+ community, and successfully weighed in on a number of high profile public policies, including the EOC statement on introduction of anti-LGBT discrimination laws, QT case (same-sex dependent visa), and the Government’s consultation on a transgender regime. Interbank members have collectively organized and promoted about 100 programs on LGBT+ inclusion in Hong Kong.
Peter Reading
Legal Counsel, Equal Opportunities Commission
Since 2012, Peter has been Legal Counsel at the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) leading a wide range of the EOC’s legal advocacy work such as the Discrimination Law Review project. He has been instrumental in the organisation’s legal work promoting equality for LGBT+ people including work on: introducing LGBT+ anti-discrimination legislation; equality for same sex couples; and gender recognition legislation for transgender people. Moreover, Peter represents the EOC in high level advocacy forums, participates in the organisation of relevant LGBT+ international and local conferences and events, as well as represents the EOC in media and stakeholder engagement on the issues. Peter believes that with evidence based advocacy and continued collaboration with all stakeholders, further progress on LGBT+ inclusion in Hong Kong can be achieved, to the benefit of everyone in society.