Banks like Credit Suisse are increasingly vocal for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) rights. A bank CEO in Asia advocated support in a deeply personal way.
Jennifer, an HSBC banker in Taiwan, and her partner, Sam, have been together for 11 years and wanted to marry, according to a video posted on the bank's corporate Youtube account.
Taiwan does not recognize same sex marriage, so the ceremony was a symbolic one. Taiwan is considered to be among Asia's most progressive nations on LGBTQ rights.
The problem? Jennifer and Sam are both women. To boot, Jennifer's family disavowed the union, refusing to acknowledge their daughter's partner or attend the wedding.
«My parents are strongly against it,» Jennifer said in a video produced by the bank (see below). «Whenever my father sees Sam, he will push her out and tell her to get lost.»
CEO as Brides-Father
Enter John Li, CEO of HSBC in Taiwan – and Jennifer's boss. Li offered to save the day and walk the young banker down the aisle.
The two brides, in identical bridal gowns and veils, are pictured framed by Li and Sam's father in a traditional ceremony.
It is not the first time that HSBC has openly advocated its support: in December, the bank painted two lion mascots, Stephen and Stitt, in rainbow colors to symbolize support for LGBT pride (see below).
