Shanghai, China, November 18, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - WorkForLGBT, leading a coalition including YouGov, Dan Lan / Blued, Rela, and Weber Shandwick, and supported by more than 20 LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) cooperative partners across China, held the 3rd Annual China Pink Market Conference on Monday, November 14th at the Langham Xintiandi Hotel Shanghai.

This was both an LGBT community as well as consumer behavior survey to better understand LGBT people in China today and better serve the future development of this community. The survey was completed in September and released as the 2016 China LGBT Community Report at the 3rd Annual China Pink Market Conference November 14th; providing an authoritative guide for companies wishing to explore the LGBT Pink Market in China.

WorkForLGBT (www.workforlgbt.org) founder Steven Paul Bielinski, lead organizer of the conference, report, and advertising showcase said, “a record number of LGBT people in China are planning to share their identity with more family, friends and co-workers in the coming years, see same-sex marriage as their ideal relationship status, and are looking for companies to voice support for LGBT friendly programs and policies.

More and more companies are realizing the importance of LGBT people as both employees and customers. Earlier this year, WorkForLGBT organized the 2nd China LGBT Talent Job Fair, with 34 Fortune 500 companies (double the number from last year) including Didi Chuxing, BlueFocus, Starbucks, BP, Citigroup, PwC and L’Oreal taking part, showcasing their support for inclusion in the recruiting and retention of talent. This year our 1st Annual China LGBT Advertising Showcase, part of the Pink Market Conference, also released seven original LGBT focused advertisements, including from leading PR agencies, advertising firms, and brands including Edelman, Burson-Marsteller, Golin Magic, and AB InBev. By sharing real world images and showcasing the stories of LGBT people, brands can truly show their support.”

Geng Le, Founder and CEO of Dan Lan, said “for three consecutive years we’ve conducted the China LGBT Community Survey. We’re looking forward to using real world data to help companies, the media, and the public realize the diversity in society and the needs of this community. By putting to use the forces of business we advance both social progress and development.

Sammy Wu, Co-Founder of Re La, shared that “in the 3rd edition of our annual report we’re pleased to see the rates of openness among LGBT people, as well as the market need for same-sex marriage continuing to rise. The LGBT community’s expectations towards businesses has also risen as they look towards companies to support LGBT friendly workplace policies as the number one factor in their purchasing decisions. This is truly the start of a new phase for China’s Pink Market.

Report Highlights

– Making up an estimated 5-10% of any population, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) China has between 70 million and 140 million citizens, with the “Pink Market” here estimated to be worth more than 2 trillion RMB.

– LGBT people are planning to be more out and open. Only 22% of gay and bisexual men and 12% of lesbian and bisexual women plan to tell no one about their identity in the next five years, versus 30% of men and 16% of women last year.

– More (now a majority of) LGBT people see same-sex marriage as their ideal relationship, 54% of men and 65% of women versus just 40% of men and 44% of women a year ago.

– LGBT people expect more from business. More than last year (47% men, 55% women), the most important factor influencing LGBT people’s purchasing decisions again is company support for LGBT friendly policies and regulations (now 56% of men and 62% of women).

– Compared to last year more LGBT people are considering overseas surrogacy and marriage. While surrogacy is expensive for most, marriage ceremonies are not, with 58% of men and 75% of women willing to pay 40,000 to 60,00 RMB to wed abroad.

– Following 2015’s results, pressure from family remains the biggest concern (70%) for those who are part of the LGBT community. This suggests that there is still more to be done to promote understanding and acceptance especially among family members.

– The general tendency for the LGBT community to travel within China (78%) is a lot higher than outside of China (28%). Like last year, the top three countries or regions that are visited outside of China are Hong Kong, Thailand and Macao.

The press release 250 Business Leaders Attend 3rd China LGBT “Pink Market” Conference comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.

Shanghai, China, June 2, 2016 /Xinwengao.com/ - WorkForLGBT organized the 2nd Annual China LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender) Talent Job Fair – attracting twice the number of companies (34) as last year’s job fair in support of LGBT diversity & inclusion on May 29, 2016 in Shanghai, China. Dozens of global Fortune 500 companies joined leading Chinese firms at this history making job fair. Earlier that same day, WorkForLGBT held their 3rd Annual LGBT Corporate Diversity & inclusion Conference, welcoming 100 HR leaders and LGBT employees to discuss programs and policies that can ensure equality at work.

Showcasing the growing acceptance of LGBT employees and customers, as well as the importance of LGBT inclusion as a business issue in China today, more than 800 LGBT employees registered online, and despite inclement weather 500 attended the fair Sunday afternoon. Tens of thousands in China’s LGBT community discussed this event via social media, as leading Fortune 500 companies and Chinese multinationals engaged in the events with LGBT friendly policies and messaging, free of charge to both job seekers and company exhibitors thanks in part to sponsor and venue host Langham Xintiandi Shanghai Hotel.

Earlier that morning, HR leaders from GAP, Ford, Publicis, and BOSS took to the stage to share how companies can create workplaces that embrace diversity and LGBT employees.

“All 34 companies who registered for our job fair this year pledged their support for inclusive policies for LBGT employees, including prohibiting LGBT workplace discrimination”, said Steven Paul Bielinski, Founder of WorkForLGBT. “This is an enormous step forward for the business community in China as they increasingly realize the importance of LGBT talent.”

Companies looking to remain competitive in China require forward thinking and innovative HR programs and policies directed at the LGBT community. This includes non-discrimination workplace policies, diversity & inclusion training programs that create a welcoming environment for LGBT workers, and employee networks that allow LGBT employees an organizational voice.

“Leading Chinese firms joined the job fair this year for the first time to show their support for LGBT employees, including Didi Chuxing Taxi App, BlueFocus Communication Group, and BOSS recruiting. Dozens of new Fortune 500 companies and brands also joined this time, including PwC, PayPal, BP, Hyatt Hotels, EY, Morgan Stanley, Shell, 3M, Citigroup, eBay, Omnicom, and Boston Consulting Group”, further explained Steven Paul Bielinski, Founder of WorkForLGBT.

WorkForLGBT was supported by Kanzhun / BOSS in holding this second annual job fair.

List of 2016 Participating Job Fair Companies:

1. Starbucks / ???

2. Nielsen / ???

3. Edelman / ???

4. L’Oreal / ???

5. State Street / ??

6. Hyatt Hotels / ??????

7. PayPal / ??

8. Publicis / ????

9. Williams-Sonoma / ?????

10. Omnicom / ????

11. Electronic Arts / ??

12. PwC / ????

13. Ford / ??

14. Old Navy / GAP

15. EF Education First / ????

16. BP / ????

17. Kanzhun / Boss ??? / Boss??

18. IBM

19. Morgan Stanley / ?????

20. Outback Steakhouse / ?????

21. Interpublic Group / ?????

22. Hogan Lovells / ????

23. 3M

24. Citigroup / ????

25. McKinsey / ???

26. eBay / ??

27. EY / ??

28. Ogilvy / ??

29. Didi Chuxing / ????

30. BlueFocus / ????

31. Boston Consulting Group / ???????

32. Shell / ??

33. Wieden+Kennedy / ????

34. Blued / ??

About WorkForLGBT

WorkForLGBT is a non-profit business network for LGBT employees in China and a platform for dialogue and collaboration with companies on LGBT corporate equality issues.

WorkForLGBT organizes regular networking mixers for gay and lesbian employees in Shanghai, Beijing, and other cities in China, as well as programs which highlight the business case for LGBT initiatives within human resources, corporate social responsibility, marketing and branding, as well as other company functions.

These include the Annual LGBT Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Conference, the Annual Pink Market Conference (which releases the China LGBT Community Survey), and their Annual Anniversary Event (which releases the China LGBT Social Climate Survey Report), as well as their Annual China LGBT Talent Job Fair.

The press release China Holds 2nd Gay Job Fair & 3rd Annual LGBT Diversity Conference comes from Xinwengao.com press release distribution and journalist media database service in China.