Legislation against discrimination based on sexual orientation serves as the minimal safety net for society, said new Equal Opportunities Commission chairman Alfred Chan Cheung- ming.
On his first day in the post, Chan said both sides involved in the sexual orientation debate need time to listen to each other.
"Human rights should be respected no matter [people's] sexual orientation," Chan said.
"All kinds of discrimination should not exist in society, no matter among individuals or groups.
"The EOC needs to deal with all discrimination cases."
Asked why he turned down an invitation to a forum held by a gay group, Big Love Alliance, in mid- March, Chan said he had something else on his schedule that day, but added he was willing to attend similar forums in the future.
Meanwhile, Lingnan University confirmed that Chan did not make a declaration to the university that he worked as a doctoral thesis consultant for Tarlac State University in the Philippines in 2013.
Chan is currently chair professor of social gerontology as well as director at the Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies and Office of Service- Learning at Lingnan University.
Chan, the former Elderly Commission chairman, will hold the post as EOC chair for three years. JOEY HUNG
