After a 17-year run, the radio show "We Are Family" will come to an end at Hong Kong's public broadcaster. The cancellation of the show, which advocates for LGBTQ equality, has been attributed to changes in programming.

This decision comes in the wake of Beijing's crackdown on Hong Kong's democracy movement and the implementation of a national security law, leading to concerns about the erosion of civil society and the stifling of dissent.

Programme co-host Brian Leung expressed that he was mentally prepared for the show to be dropped at the government-funded Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), but did not receive a satisfactory explanation from station management.

Leung stated that the show was walking a tightrope on a traditional platform like RTHK, and its debut in 2006 broke barriers at the public broadcaster. In its early days, the show enjoyed editorial freedom and presented LGBTQ content in a fun and light-hearted manner.

"We Are Family" featured a mix of chitchat, news, and guest interviews, providing a rare platform for promoting gay rights in the city. It sparked important discussions on topics such as high school bullying of LGBTQ teens, drag culture, and the discrimination faced by transgender individuals.

The show won a Human Rights Press Award in 2010, further highlighting its impact and relevance. Listeners, like Louis Lee and a 67-year-old retiree named May, praised the show for its informative nature and considered it a rarity in Hong Kong.

However, both expressed concerns about the city's shrinking diversity and the suppression of voices that don't align with official narratives. While RTHK stated that it periodically reviews its programming strategies and declined to comment on internal editorial matters, the cancellation of "We Are Family" raises questions about the future of LGBTQ representation and discussions in Hong Kong.

Despite a steady rise in support for same-sex marriage among younger residents, the Beijing-approved leadership has shown little interest in advancing LGBTQ equality through legislation. The cancellation of the show follows other controversial decisions made by RTHK in recent years, including the axing of a popular satirical TV show and a management shakeup.

Despite the challenges faced by LGBTQ rights advocates, Brian Leung expressed hope that "We Are Family" had expanded the space for discussion on important issues. He emphasized the importance of changing minds even in the face of an unchanged status quo.