In “What Century is this Again?” news, a TIME.com article said today that Hong Kong tycoon has offered nearly $65 million to any man willing to marry his daughter. This is no simple (though outdated) case of a father offering a dowry for his daughter. Cecil Chao Sze-tsung’s daughter Gigi is already married…to her longtime girlfriend, Sean Yeung.
Hong Kong does not recognize same-sex unions, so Gigi married Yeung in Paris in April. Her father still hasn’t acknowledged her marriage to Yeung and wants to find a “generous and kindhearted” man for his daughter.
Gigi seems to be more amused than annoyed at her father, and said that, “…it’s really sweet of him to do something like this as an expression of his fatherly love.” She understands his concern for her social status in the conservative Hong Kong society. Perhaps he could use that “fatherly love” to honor his daughter’s relationship and rescind the offer, at least for the sake of Gigi’s inbox. Since Cecil announced his offer, Gigi has received messages from thousands of suitors around the world.
Despite the intentions of Mr. Chao’s “well-meaning” offer, this story could shed some light on the issue of gay rights in Hong Kong. The small LGBT community in Hong Kong has become more visible since homosexuality was decriminalized in 1991, but they have a long way to go to gain acceptance from the population at large. Running off to other countries to get married shouldn’t be the only option for them.
Image via afphongkong.afpnet.org.
