Title: “Gay Games Hong Kong Kick Off Amid Opposition, Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity”
Nov 6, (Wya News):
The Gay Games Hong Kong (GGHK) made its debut in Asia on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for the LGBTQ+ community despite opposition from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers and human rights activists.
The event’s opening ceremony featured a grand march-in by the GGHK, the Federation of Gay Games, and delegations from around the world, followed by vibrant performances, including the traditional Hong Kong lion dance.
Pro-Beijing politician and Executive Council convenor Regina Ip spoke at the Gay Games opening ceremony. The event is a “strong testimony to the diversity, inclusion and unity of our city,” she said. Ip also gave a “thumbs up” to Hong Kong courts for upholding LGBTQ rights.
Lisa Lam, co-chair of GGHK, expressed the event’s vision of celebrating participation, inclusion, and personal best in sports, arts, and culture.
Notably, GGHK introduced an all-genders category in multi-sports for the first time, allowing people of all genders to compete together.
Over 2,300 participants from 45 countries are expected to partake in a wide range of sporting and cultural events, including dragon boat racing and mahjong. Guadalajara, Mexico, is co-hosting the event.
It’s important to note that Hong Kong does not have laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation and does not recognize same-sex marriage.
However, a ruling by its top court in September set a two-year deadline for the government to establish a legal framework to recognize same-sex unions.
While the Hong Kong government did not send officials to the opening ceremony, it did emphasize the importance of conducting the Games “in a lawful, safe, and orderly manner.”
The National Security Law (NSL) imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020 has raised concerns and led to accusations from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers that the Gay Games may promote same-sex marriage, which they claim violates the NSL.
Despite these challenges, the event garnered support from pro-establishment figures like Regina Ip, the convener of Hong Kong’s Executive Council, who stated that the Games were a testament to the city’s diversity, inclusion, and unity.
While some human rights activists and lawmakers called for the Games to be canceled, the excitement among participants and spectators remained undiminished.
The event was seen as an opportunity to raise visibility and promote acceptance in a region where LGBTQ+ rights face challenges. Taiwan chose to send its athletes to Guadalajara instead of Hong Kong, citing security concerns related to the NSL.
Opposition did not dampen the excitement, spectators chanted, cheered and waved before the opening ceremony.
“This is a good idea because especially China is not very fond of the gays. So this is to become visible in China as queer people,” said Gerrit Schulz, 80, a participant from Berlin.
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