This fortnight marks the launch of Hong Kong’s first-ever Pink Season, celebrating four months of colourful gay and lesbian events. Arthur Tam and Andrea Yu give you a rundown of what not to miss.

Electric Pink – Pink Season Launch Party Sep 30
Brian Leung is the host of RTHK’s first LGBT show We Are Family, but as DJ BLing, he’s one part of the DJ collective Are Friends Electric?
Leung, along with Alok, Nerve and Shelf-Index are hosting the very first bash in a plentiful season of gay and lesbian celebrations. Officially kicking off Pink Season at the underground club XXX, the dance music collective will be spinning everything from electro to minimal, UK funky, dubstep and mash-up tunes. 
XXX, 212 Wing Lok St, Sheung Wan. 10.30pm-late. $120.

Mr Gay Hong Kong Oct 15
While Heihei Yau has enjoyed a fabulous year representing Hong Kong’s gay community, the time has come to pass on the crown. The annual pageant is now running for its third year, with judges like drag diva Coco Pop and Zoo Bar owner Tony Wong helping to select the winner. Jimmy Wong, Edmund Lee, Ricky Chau and Jonathan Bridge Hudson (pictured left to right) are currently in the running. Twenty percent of their score will be determined by online voting – so head over to www.mrgayhongkong.com to cast a vote for your favourite. 
Bisous, 9/F, LKF Tower, Central. 7pm. $180 adv, $250 door.

Floatilla Oct 16
Considering the flamboyant reputation of sailors, the open sea is a fitting place for gay men to congregate. Floatilla is an annual celebration with over a dozen junk boats holding hundreds of gays, lesbian ladies and their friends. This day out in the open seas is now in its sixth year running and is consistently a highlight event of the LGBT community. Typically, groups like Mr Gay HK and Fruits in Suits will hire out a junk, but anyone who’s interested in joining can email floatillahk@yahoo.com.
Departing Central Pier No. 9 at 10.30am. Registration required.

Drag Overdose Nov 12
RuPaul, step aside. The girls of Hong Kong have arrived. “Other drag queens in different parts of the world have representation. It’s time that Hong Kong does too,” says La Chiquitta, the event organiser of the aptly-named Drag Overdose. Work those five-inch glittery heels and party it up with Hong Kong’s drag queen divas. (And rumour has it there will be a special star performance that might make a few wigs pop off…) 
Details TBC.

Gay Day at Disneyland Dec 4
A tradition that started in Orlando’s Disney World in 1991 has since spread to Hong Kong. Now in it’s fourth year and slowly gaining popularity, Gay Day at Disneyland invites participants to wear their best red outfit to show support for equality and the LGBT community. Tinkerbell has already armed herself with fairy dust in preparation to sprinkle some of her magic on… well, the ‘fairies’.
Disneyland. Details TBC.

Out in the Open Nov 6
In lieu of last year’s cancelled Pride Parade, the LGBT community was looking for another way to celebrate the city’s diversity. And thus, Out in the Open was born. After a successful launch in 2010 with drinks, market stalls and tunes from the DJ at Bauhinia Beach Club, organisers have brought back this fun day out, hoping to make the event a regular in the gay calendar. 
Bauhinia Beach Club, Middle Bay Beach. 2pm-9pm. Free.

Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Nov 18-Dec 1
The HKLGFF seeks to entertain and educate the public with a series of LGBT-related films from around the world. The films selected reveal a series of issues that the LGBT community regularly confronts. Event organiser Joe Lam invites everyone to attend this social gathering and give their critique about this year’s highlighted films, hoping it will become a ‘mini Pride’-like event. The fest is expected to draw a substantial crowd, so make sure to book your tickets ahead of time. 
Various venues, see www.hklgff.hk for more info.

Head to pinkseason.hk for a full list of events