Selected News relating to
HK Gays and Lesbians
GayStation.com.hk is NOT run by Hutchison
From: "Brian Leung"
To: spode@sqzm14.ust.hk
Subject: Disclaimer from GayStation.com.hk
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 17:31:11 +0800
GayStation.com.hk is NOT run by Hutchison
Hi Mr. Spodick,
As GayStation first launched itself in early 2000, your site has always been very supportive in promoting our site to your users. My hearfelt thanks. But recently, when I browsed upon our search link on your site, I was shocked to find that the following wrongful accusation and comments was added as attachment:
Visitors' Comments: "gaystation" is not gay at all, it's 100% owned by Hutchison Whampoa through their tom.com dot bomb business. It wants some of that gay dollar thats all. [18 April 2001]
This sort of wrongful accusation has been going on on the net for several months. I have no idea who started it and for what agenda. About two months ago, we have posted a disclaimer on our site:
Disclaimer
Recently, I come to realize that there's been a cyber war and boycott campaign against the management of Propaganda. As a gay portal and public message board, this has always been our stand to remain neutral in all these verbal tangles. GayStation.com.hk does not want to get involved or place judgments.
However, of all the abusive attacks and rumors, I can't help feeling a bit "amazed" to find that there's that hilarious accusation and rumor about "GayStation.com.hk being run by Hutchison". I have no idea who started this rumor but one thing is for sure - either he/she must be real "creative" or simply hallucinating.
First of all, to play the devil's advocate, I don't see what the big fuss there is about a gay portal being financed by some resourceful business conglomerate. IF GayStation.com.hk WERE run by Hutchison, we would be more financially equipped to improve and upgrade our services and contents. Unfortunately that's not the case. We have to build everything from ground zero with our limited resources and manpower.
Once and for all, GayStation.com.hk is NOT run by Hutchison. It is run by So Corporation Limited, which is a 100% self financed and privately owned web production company. True, So Corporation Limited is one of the contractors that provide music contents for Tom.com. But that doesn't mean we are "run" by Hutchison. GayStation.com.hk is not even remotely connected to Hutchison in any way (except I am subscribing to a Hutchison mobile package myself!) Simple as that.
Stop all this groundless rumors and lies. The world is already a hateful and fragmented place; don't make it any worse by promoting unnecessary hatred.
Cheers,
Brian Leung
Webmaster
http://www.gaystation.com.hk
Rumours and lies and polarization...are cancers continuously devouring our local gay culture. We have to give it a stop. It's time to tone down some unnecessary cynicism and sacarcism that we rely so much in the past as defence. Time to build positively a way to live gaily together.
This would be highly appreciated if you would remove that wrongful remark from the link. We have discussed the matter with our legal advisor and he suggested that if rumours like this continue to spread, we will have to resort to necessary legal action. Your assistance might be needed to trace back the source of the rumour.
If you wanna discuss the matter with me directly, please don't hesitate to reach me at (852) 9xxxxxxxx [deleted for privacy -Ed].
Apart from this rumour thing, I should have taken the initiative to come into contact with you long ago about any possible joint venture and collaboration between your intensive directory site and GayStation. Our current streaming programs are all in Cantonese, but I've always been toying with the idea of starting some English-speaking programs to cater to the needs of the English-speaking gay sector(Chinese and Caucasians alike). Perhaps you could contribute some advices and ideas or suggesting the right talents. So, let's meet and talk.
Thank your for your attention.
Cheers,
Brian Leung
Webmaster
http://www.gaystation.com.hk
last revised Saturday, 15 February 2003