Finalists (listed alphabetically by first name)
Benita Chick
Docent; Walk in Hong Kong
Benita is one of the most active local Chinese lesbian advocates and has an unbeatable determination when innovatively engaging in LGBT+ inclusion advocacy in Hong Kong. Her works include curating and leading the LGBT+ Walking Tour to introduce the city’s LGBT+ culture and history to locals and tourists alike. She is also the new IDAHOT Director at Pink Alliance and a freelance radio host at the local LGBT+ radio station Bubble Air to promote LGBT+ awareness. Her creativity has led her to set up the first LGBT+ social enterprise Pinkdom, directs pink dollars to build sustainable social services, including counselling and education for the LGBT+ community. Benita loves sports and has also led a lesbian empowerment group called Sweatitude. Benita is undoubtedly a vocal and thoughtful advocate, and is especially an inspiration to the younger generations.
Other Finalists (listed alphabetically)
• Benita Chick, Walk in Hong Kong
• Celine Tan, HSBC
• Les Peches
Celine Tan
Senior Vice President, HSBC Securities Services Account Manager, HSBC
With a strong commitment to empowering the LGBT+ community within and beyond the financial industry, Celine has either started or led the Pride BRG chapters in every organisation she has worked in thus far. She was listed no. 37 in the 2017 Financial Times Outstanding Top 50 LGBT+ Future Leaders. Within the workplace, Celine has reverse mentored, rallied and engaged senior executives for influence and sponsorship. In mid-2017, she created The Lesbians in Finance (LIF) programme which focuses on the leadership growth and development of lesbians in the finance sector via soft skills development programs as well as networking and professional workshops. LIF maintains a listing of its members and envisions increasing lesbian representation in senior management by creating and highlighting the value propositions of a diverse team.
Les Peches
Les Peches provides spaces for lesbians, queer/bisexual/trans women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to meet and socialise in fun and safe environments, as well as strategically educate the community on the need for advocacy works and equal rights. Since its creation over 10 years ago, the organisation has partnered with various key stakeholders in the community, including the Equal Opportunities Commission and other local LGBT+ groups, to promote LGBT+ inclusion. Les Peches also played an instrumental role in key LGBT+ events in Hong Kong including Pink Dot and the bid for Gay Games 2022 and is a recognised promotional platform for other local events.