Landslide Change in Hungary

Magyar promises to undo Orban's changes in Hungary

Finally some good news -- there will be a change in government in Hungary following Viktor Orban's massive loss in elections today, ending 16 years of rule that led to extensive corruption, a stacked judiciary, and control over many media outlets.

What was a surprise was that Orban, 62, was quick to concede defeat, not waiting for the final results that later declared Peter Magyar, 45, the winner.

Orban quickly conceded defeat

"The responsibility and opportunity to govern were not given to us," Orban said, but he also made a vow: "We are not giving up. Never, never, never."

Over 79.5 percent of voters cast their ballots, and with 98 percent of the ballots counted, Magyar of the Tisza party won 138 seats, more than a two-thirds majority compared to Orban's Fidesz, that won 55.

Previously an Orban loyalist, Magyar promises to end corruption that lined the pockets of Orban allies, but he is also not very progressive when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. 

Will Magyar restore the checks and balances that Orban dismantled during his 16-year rule? That will be the big question. He has promised to reverse Orban's changes to education and healthcare, restore independence of the judiciary, and end the squandering of tax dollars.

"You performed a miracle today, Hungary made history today," Magyar told a jubilant crowd.

Magyar will move Hungary away from Russia

Besides Orban, the other big losers are his supporters, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. The latter even sent Vice President JD Vance to Budapest to stump for Orban, but his appearance didn't move the needle at all.

The European Union is cautiously optimistic that things will change, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose pleas for help were always stymied by Orban.

Nevertheless, we'll celebrate Magyar's win, who said that love triumphs, and that this is a sign of things to come.

HKJA Strikes Out on Two Hotel Venues

HKJA chair Selina Cheng holds Poon's calligraphy at Eaton HK

How hard is it for organisations in Hong Kong to hold a spring dinner for their members? 

Apparently it's near impossible, as the Hong Kong Journalists Association found out.

The Regal Hong Kong in Causeway Bay claimed it had "water leakage causing unstable power supply" and had to cancel the reservation two days before the event. 

In 2019 the hotel seemed supportive of protesters

So the HKJA postponed the dinner and made a reservation at the Eaton HK hotel in Jordan, and paid a deposit.

But then the group got some bad news today.

In an email to attendees, it said in part: 

"HKJA received notice from the new venue, Eaton HK, stating they were 'unable to host your proposed event.' No reason was given," the email said. "It is regrettable that, two times in a row in a short period of time, HKJA has had contracted bookings -- for which deposits were paid and documents signed -- cancelled by the venues."

This is particularly disappointing because the Eaton hotel is known to be more liberal, marketing itself as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, and during the 2019 protests put up a billboard on its building that read: "What does your revolution look like?"

So for Eaton HK to cancel the HKJA event shows how much pressure the hotel was under, and this is the new normal in Hong Kong.

In retaliation, people online posted bad reviews of the hotel on Google.

Ironically, one of the items that was to be auctioned off at the dinner is a work of calligraphy by lyricist Poon Yuen-leung.

It reads: "To brave the road ahead together, with wind gusting against us, we share our frustration and our pride. Sweep the dust on my face, empty the sorrows in our hearts, I beat on and stride forward with you."

Will Swift Perform in Shanghai?

Swift's team has had preliminary talks with Shanghai

The big question for 2025 is -- will Taylor Swift perform in China?

There are reports the Shanghai authorities are in talks with the superstar in a bid to kickstart the country's economy.

Deputy director of Shanghai's culture and tourism bureau Zhang Qi said local officials hosted her team for preliminary talks.

Swift has a massive fan base in China

"As for whether it will ultimately happen, it depends on the market and the attractiveness of our city. However, we are optimistic and think that there may be hope for this year," he said.

Swift is considered to be "walking GDP" because of her massive economic impact wherever she performs, and if she does come, there will be calls to relax restrictions on international performers.

Typically for international artists, there are numerous restrictions and stipulations, such as the song list must be approved before showtime, and the audience members must stay in their seats.

But the big question is, will she come? Swift just completed her show-stopping Eras Tour that made over US$2 billion... why do another show just for Shanghai? It seems like Chinese officials have missed the boat?

It will be interesting to see what comes out of this. Swift is a sharp businesswoman. Even though she has millions of fans in China, she also needs to justify going to a country that has a patriarchal society that represses women, isn't supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, cracks down on freedom of speech, and doesn't want its young people to be caught up in celebrities. 

Would going there endorse authoritarianism or draw Swifties' attention to try to knock down these issues with hugs and friendship bracelets?

One can only hope!

Joe Average: No Average Artist

Average lived with HIV/Aids for 40 years

It is sad to find out that LGBTQ+ artist Joe Average died on Christmas Eve. He was 67 years old.

His art was whimsical and colourful

He was well known in the art community for his colourful, upbeat paintings and several murals of his could be found around Vancouver. They were mostly of faces of people, or flowers, or even animals and insects personified with big red lips.

But mostly Average was a symbol of surviving HIV/AIDS. He was HIV-positive at the age of 27, which motivated him to become an artist and advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and LGBTQ+ rights.

"He had Aids for 40 years and he maintained his healthy attitude by being creative," said Michael Harding, a longtime friend. "Creativity is what kept him alive, and the love of the community."

This was evident in him donating artwork to many charitable causes.

Average's artwork made it onto a Canadian stamp, and on a loonie designed for the Royal Canadian Mint.

Average's work was featured on a stamp

In 2021 he was appointed to the Order of British Columbia, and last year the Order of Canada. 

Vancouver is so lucky to have such a talented and giving artist who did so much for the city and its residents through his art.

Harris Commands Debate with Trump

Harris kept Trump on the defensive during the debate

Tonight was the highly-anticipated debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, and there was little doubt who the winner was.

Broadcast on ABC, the two anchors asked the two candidates questions on abortion, the economy, and on foreign policy, such as the war in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

It should have been easier for Trump to attack the incumbent, but he lost his footing when she baited him about the crowd sizes of his rallies, how people leave because they're bored.

She went over to shake his hand at the start

Unable to keep it together, Trump rambled on about topics that had nothing to do with the questions that were asked, and what he said was mostly false, as the New York Times fact-checked both his and Harris' points. 

The most egregious was about Springfield, Ohio, where he claimed Haitian immigrants were eating people's pets. Harris for her part laughed that Trump resorted to pulling out this outrageous claim that he said he saw on television.

Perhaps the best part was when she chastised Trump for being weak, which is why dictators liked him.

"This dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again because they're so clear -- they can manipulate you with flattery and favours, and that is why so many military leaders who you have worked with, have told me you are a disgrace," she said.

Minutes after the debate was over superstar artist Taylor Swift published an Instagram post endorsing Harris and Tim Walz, and encouraged her Swifties to do their research and register to vote, and signed off as "Childless Cat Lady".

Swift publicly endorsed Harris after the debate

Walz found out about this live on TV with MSNBC, and was thrilled when Swift said she was impressed by his work supporting the LGBTQ community and women's reproductive rights. 

Seeing Trump and Harris tonight was literally night and day respectively; while he pitched darkness, negativity and hopelessness, she promoted change for the future, better lives and optimism.

It will be interesting to see the polling done after this debate, and what Trump's dictator buddies think of his chances now...

HK Reveals Homophobic Colours Ahead of Gay Games

The Gay Games have finally opened in Hong Kong

After being postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic and difficulty in securing venues because of Hong Kong government bureaucracy, the Gay Games have finally kicked off, but still not without controversy.

In the days leading up to the Games opening on November 5, some pro-Beijing legislators who were anti-LGBTQ, called for the event to be cancelled on national security grounds, and that politician Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee should resign because she would officiate the opening.

Seven lawmakers against the Games

One of them, the bombastic Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, even sent a letter to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, saying the Gay Games promotes same-sex marriage in Hong Kong, and this must be stopped.

There was no response.

"We object to any Western ideology that sugar-coated its agenda in the name of diversity and inclusivity for a sports event, attempting to subvert national security," he said in a press conference with six other homophobic lawmakers.

Ho said the event was a "criminal activity" that spread the ideology of gay rights, subverting traditional Chinese family values.

Others like Equal Opportunities Commission Josiah Chok Kin-ming called for the authorities to investigate whether the Games' source of funding came from foreign organisations and amounted to collusion with external forces prohibited under the national security law.

Ip hit back, calling their claims "ridiculous" and confirmed she would officiate the opening.

Ip officiated the opening of the Games

"If there is firm evidence that the Gay Games are in breach of national security laws, the police would have taken action," said Ip, who was a former security chief. 

"I suspect the timing of the attacks are politically motivated, to smear my district council [election] candidates, one of whom has been harassed on-street because of my support for the Gay Games."

Not just one has been harassed, Paul Lui Yau-tak, but all 29 of the New People's Party candidates running in the upcoming District Council election on December 10.

Interestingly, while Ip supports the Gay Games, she does not support same-sex marriage in Hong Kong as a 2013 Final Appeal ruling says the definition of marriage under the Basic Law did not include same-sex unions. 

Meanwhile Games co-chair Lisa Lam said the event had never deviated from the principle of promoting diversity and unity, and demonstrated to the world that Hong Kong was an inclusive city open for business.

"Everyone is entitled to have their own opinions," she said. "They can say what they want."

Just a polite way of saying, can we just have our Games and be done with it already?

It's so complicated, but basically, what a mess.