Hong Kong Pride Market Cancelled Amid Venue Booking Dispute

The Hong Kong Pride Parade Organising Committee has announced the cancellation of its annual Rainbow Market, originally scheduled for November 14 at Central Market. The decision comes after the venue’s booking was rescinded due to what the committee described as an "administrative error" leading to a double-booking. This marks the second consecutive year that a planned event by the committee has faced venue disruptions shortly after public announcements.

The cancellation has cast a shadow over the community’s efforts to host inclusive events and celebrate LGBTQ+ rights in Hong Kong. The Rainbow Market, which began as an indoor alternative to the traditional Pride parade in 2021, has become a vital platform for fostering an LGBTI+ friendly culture and affirming Hong Kong’s progressive image on the international stage.

A Series of Venue Setbacks

This latest cancellation is not an isolated incident for the Hong Kong Pride Parade Organising Committee. In a statement released via Instagram on Thursday, the committee detailed the circumstances surrounding the Central Market booking. The committee had contacted Central Market in June, received written confirmation of availability for November 14 later that month, and promptly paid a deposit in July. The event, dubbed the "Rainbow Market," was subsequently announced on the committee’s social media platforms.

However, approximately a month later, Central Market informed the organisers that the venue could no longer be rented for the event. The reason provided was an "administrative staff error that resulted in double-booking the venue for two separate events on the same day." The committee also stated that Chinachem Group, the operator of Central Market, informed them that no alternative venues were available within November.

This mirrors a similar situation in the previous year. The organisers had initially planned an outdoor festival at Kwun Tong Promenade. However, they were suddenly notified that the venue could not be used, with the reason cited being "construction work." These repeated venue cancellations have raised concerns within the LGBTQ+ community and among civil society groups in Hong Kong about the ease with which public spaces can be made unavailable for events deemed sensitive or potentially controversial.

Chronology of the Central Market Cancellation

• June [Year]: Hong Kong Pride Parade Organising Committee contacts Central Market to inquire about venue availability for their Rainbow Market.
• Late June [Year]: The committee receives written confirmation from Central Market that the venue is available on November 14.
• July [Year]: The committee pays a deposit to secure the venue booking.
• [Month following July]: The committee publicly announces the date and venue for the Rainbow Market on its social media channels.
• Approximately a month after announcement: Central Market notifies the organising committee that the venue booking has been cancelled due to a double-booking caused by an administrative error.
• [Date of Article]: The Hong Kong Pride Parade Organising Committee officially announces the cancellation of the Rainbow Market.

Official Response and Impact on the Community

In response to inquiries from Hong Kong Free Press, Chinachem Group, the property development conglomerate operating Central Market, confirmed that they were unable to make the venue available on the originally scheduled date "due to a booking overlap." The company stated that they have "reviewed the relevant booking and management procedures and implemented appropriate improvements to help prevent similar incidents from recurring." They added, "The organiser was notified as soon as possible, and a full refund was arranged. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused."

An online check of Central Market’s event calendar on Thursday evening revealed no scheduled events for November 14, the date originally intended for the Rainbow Market.

Despite the setback, the Hong Kong Pride Parade Organising Committee remains committed to its mission. "The organising committee firmly believes that the ‘Rainbow Market’ is a significant inclusive event for Hong Kong: internally, it helps foster an LGBTI+ friendly culture in Hong Kong; externally, it affirms Hong Kong’s progressive image as an international metropolis," the statement read. The committee pledged to "make every effort to continue organizing the event" and will announce updated arrangements on its social media platforms in due course. They expressed deep appreciation for public support for equal rights for sexual minorities and offered sincere apologies to all those affected by the cancellation.

Evolution of Pride Events in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Pride Parade Organising Committee is a collective of four local LGBTQ+ groups: Les Corner Empowerment Association, Rainbow of Hong Kong, the Association for Transgender Rights, and Made in Gender. The group has a history of organizing significant events for the LGBTQ+ community in Hong Kong, including the city’s first Pride parade in 2008. The last physical parade was held in 2018.

In 2019, the committee was denied approval for a march, ostensibly over safety concerns amidst the widespread anti-extradition bill protests and ensuing unrest. In response, they held a static rally instead. The following year, the parade transitioned online due to COVID-19 restrictions. Since 2021, the committee has opted for indoor events, including the Rainbow Market, citing "the social situation in Hong Kong" as the reason for this shift. This adaptation reflects the evolving landscape for public gatherings and civil society activities in the city.

Broader Context and Implications

The cancellation of the Rainbow Market comes at a time when civil society organizations in Hong Kong have faced increasing scrutiny and operational challenges. A timeline compiled by Hong Kong Free Press highlights a pattern of mysteriously axed venue bookings for various civil society groups, suggesting a broader trend of difficulties in securing public spaces for events.

The stated reason of "administrative error" for the Central Market cancellation, while officially acknowledged by the venue operator, has drawn scrutiny given the repeated instances of event disruptions faced by the Pride committee. For a community that relies on public events to raise visibility, foster solidarity, and advocate for rights, the cancellation represents a loss of a crucial platform.

The emphasis placed by the organising committee on the Rainbow Market’s role in fostering an "LGBTI+ friendly culture" and affirming Hong Kong’s "progressive image as an international metropolis" underscores the significance of such events beyond mere celebration. They serve as vital expressions of identity, community building, and advocacy in a social and political climate that has seen shifts in recent years. The commitment to finding alternative arrangements signals the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies in Hong Kong, despite the challenges in securing suitable venues. The situation also raises questions about the transparency and accessibility of public spaces for diverse community groups in the city.