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LGBT events and happenings in Hong Kong
Gay & Lesbian edited by Nightlife
Interview: Les Peches
Since December 2006, Abby Lee and Betty Grisoni have organised a monthly party for lesbian and bisexual women. As they count down to the three-year anniversary of ‘Les Peches’, the couple speak to Tina Lee about their experiences in Asia, and the impact they’ve had on the community
How did you guys meet?
Abby: We met in Singapore dancing in a club called Velvet. I’m not sure who saw who first. She was dancing in a corner and our eyes met. I decided to chat up this cute girl and the rest was history.
Abby: We met in Singapore dancing in a club called Velvet. I’m not sure who saw who first. She was dancing in a corner and our eyes met. I decided to chat up this cute girl and the rest was history.
You’ve been married for how long now?
Betty: Nine years. What Abby didn’t say about the beginning was I moved from Australia, where the gay and lesbian community was quite active, to Singapore, where at that time it was still quiet. So when we met [in Singapore] I had no idea if she was gay or lesbian or whatever. It was a straight bar, so we had no idea.
Abby: The thing was in Singapore there was no gay or lesbian categorised places.
Betty: It was more don’t ask, don’t tell.
Was the scene different when you moved to Hong Kong?
Abby: It’s such a cosmopolitan city, so we thought there would be more of an offering to the gay and lesbian people compared to Singapore, but it actually wasn’t what we thought it would be. There were several activities for the boys, but not so much for the girls. After several years, instead of us complaining we thought ‘Why don’t we start something ourselves?’
Betty: We started an event called Les Peches. We didn’t have any idea on what it would become. It started as just a small gathering. We don’t make money out of this, but when we arrived we were trying to build the community in some way.
Abby: A lot of couples have actually been created through Les Peches.
Betty: There is one couple that now lives in London that is going to get married. That lady came out at our party and she was really worried about who she was and her sexuality. We wanted to assure her that she was here [at our parties] to have fun. For us it was not a business – just an act of love.
Abby: It’s such a cosmopolitan city, so we thought there would be more of an offering to the gay and lesbian people compared to Singapore, but it actually wasn’t what we thought it would be. There were several activities for the boys, but not so much for the girls. After several years, instead of us complaining we thought ‘Why don’t we start something ourselves?’
Betty: We started an event called Les Peches. We didn’t have any idea on what it would become. It started as just a small gathering. We don’t make money out of this, but when we arrived we were trying to build the community in some way.
Abby: A lot of couples have actually been created through Les Peches.
Betty: There is one couple that now lives in London that is going to get married. That lady came out at our party and she was really worried about who she was and her sexuality. We wanted to assure her that she was here [at our parties] to have fun. For us it was not a business – just an act of love.
Was it hard to get the local crowd in?
Betty: Not really, and I want to stress that this isn’t just a foreigner’s group.
Abby: Maybe it helps that Betty is Eurasian and I’m Chinese. We try to show people it doesn’t matter – black, white, yellow, age – there are no boundaries or limits, it’s really mixed.
I’ve heard people say, ‘Without Betty or Abby, we wouldn’t have this’. How do you feel about that?
Betty: We’re out and very much comfortable with our sexuality and we want others to feel the same way. I don’t think we’re doing more than others but we’re much more vocal. We just did it.
It’s Les Peches’ three-year anniversary. Are you proud of the impact Les Peches has had on the community?
Betty: Seeing women of all ages and races comfortable with themselves – Filipinas, Chinese, Gweilos of all ages together in one place – this is what I’m proud of. We really want to do community building, and there are so many different groups that don’t interact with each other so we try to get them to interact.
Ideally, how would you like to see the LGBT community progress in Hong Kong?
Betty: I think like everywhere else, the Gay and Lesbian community are fighting for rights that they don’t have yet.
Abby: Equal rights, acceptance in society.
Betty: I think one step is just being able to come out to their families – because I think it’s a pretty big issue in Hong Kong to say, ‘I’m gay or I’m lesbian’. It’s still very difficult for a lot of people so that’s why we provide a place for women to be themselves.
Betty: I think one step is just being able to come out to their families – because I think it’s a pretty big issue in Hong Kong to say, ‘I’m gay or I’m lesbian’. It’s still very difficult for a lot of people so that’s why we provide a place for women to be themselves.
I hear it’s Abby’s birthday the day of the anniversary party. Was that planned?
Abby: No, it just happened to be that way.
Betty: That’s the thing – we’ve always been there at the same place [Fong Underground], every first Tuesday of every month.
Abby: Rain or shine – we just want to be the pillar for the community.
Betty: That’s the thing – we’ve always been there at the same place [Fong Underground], every first Tuesday of every month.
Abby: Rain or shine – we just want to be the pillar for the community.
Les Peches takes place every first Tuesday of the month at Fong Underground, Basement, California Entertainment Building, 34-36 D'Aguilar St, Central, 2523 2002.
6 comment(s)
prash
I moved to Hong Kong two years ago from Paris and met this adorable couple. They are one among the important pillars of the LGBTA - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual & Allied - (allied = heterosexuals who support LGBT causes). Muchas Gracias to Time Out and Tina !
21 Nov 2008 12:46:02 PM
Sam
You've done a great job girls.
You are not only vocal, you act on it. So many people talk about what they would do and don't do a thing. Being out there not only for you but for others it's an achievement and it's commendable.
Love you girls!
29 Nov 2008 10:31:20 PM
Trish
Hi,
I just want to ask if there's a age limit for the gathering.
Thanks!
01 Dec 2008 09:55:50 PM
DJ Stonedog
These girls truly are the pillar of our community! Support their initiatives every way you can ppl!
03 Dec 2008 01:34:58 PM
Tan
Just waiting
30 Apr 2009 02:38:09 PM
Sandy
Well, I have been in HK for almost 10yrs but whenever my Singapore friends ask me about Les hangout in HK, I could only answer "Not Fun One" coz only Karaoke. So I wonder whether Fong will be like our Singapore Velvet
01 Dec 2009 05:29:02 PM
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