Hong Kong’s airport and railway operators have reversed a ban on a Cathay Pacific advertisement featuring a gay couple walking hand in hand on a beach.

The ad was part of the airline company’s rebranding campaign, under the tagline “Move Beyond.” The image shows two well-suited men strolling along, gazing into each other’s eyes, with the words, alongside the message, “Move beyond labels.” Cathay Pacific reportedly told staff an important part of the rebrand was to “fly with pride for our LGBT community allies.”

Cathay Pacific's rejected same-sex ad shows that promoting inclusivity and equality is not just about statements and policies. Or ads. Sometimes it's about pushing those who need a push. Opinion by our @Dust_from_stars. https://t.co/Gvu0Nyqcs2 pic.twitter.com/7OmmE2hPoN — Campaign Asia (@CampaignAsia) May 21, 2019

On Monday, the South China Morning Post reported both the Airport Authority, which operates the Hong Kong International Airport, and the MTR Corporation, responsible for running the subway system, had rejected the spot for its LGBTQ content.

The backlash was swift, with calls for protests, including from Ray Chan, the city’s first openly gay lawmaker, Quartz reports.

Bess Hepworth, founder and executive director of the Hong Kong-based LGBTQ organization Planet Alley, called the decision to bar the ad “disappointing,” adding, “It’s not just an ad being taken away. It’s hope being taken away.”

MTR tried to shift blame to the French company that handles its outdoor advertising, JCDecaux. A spokesperson for the company noted that MTR directed them to not feature ads that could be deemed “immoral” or seen as potentially causing “distaste” to the general public. When MTR followed the Airport Authority in allowing the ad to run, it again pointed to JCDecaux as having handled the situation, and denied having banned it themselves.

“I’m happy that [the advert] will be posted again,” said Dennis Philipse, the chairman and founder of Gay Games Hong Kong 2022’s bid team. “It shows that Hong Kong is ready to host the Gay Games for first time in Asia in 2022.”

It will mark the first time the games are held in Asia.