Gay Games bid must navigate Asian cultural divides

In this new video, Douglas White, director, public face, for Hong Kong's bid to host the 2020 Gay Games, explains to Campaign how cultural divisions in Asia can be a hurdle for PR firms working on projects with a multinational scope.

In his role preparing Hong Kong's bid, White has had to navigate massively contrasting mindsets relating to LGBT rights across the region. As he explains, unlike the other contenders (Washington DC and Guadalajara, Mexico) shortlisted to hold the Gay Games, the Hong Kong team was tasked with a much higher goal than gaining municipal support. The games' governing body, pressed White's team to gain interest and backing across Asia. Not only did this require appealing to two-thirds of the world's population, but a population with vast ideological splits in regard to the treatment of LGBT individuals. White specifically cited recent contrasting events in Taiwan and Indonesia as examples of this division.

We recorded this interview with White whilst he was in attendance at last week's PR360 event in Hong Kong, where he participated in a panel discussion on the effect of online trolls. In addition to his role with the Gay Games, White is the director and founder of PRDA (Prosperity Research Digital Agency).