First Asian city to host Gay Games
October 31, 2017
Hong Kong will host the 2022 Gay Games, fighting off bids from cities in the United States and Mexico to become the first Asian city to stage the sports and cultural event.
The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) chose Hong Kong over Guadalajara in Mexico and Washington D.C., in a vote in Paris on Monday.
A record number of 17 cities had expressed interest in hosting the 2022 Gay Games, 13 of them in the United States.
“The impact that the Gay Games has in host cities is incredible in terms of culture, sport, economic impact, history and most importantly elevating all matters of LGBT+ equality,” the Federation of Gay Games said in a statement.
The games are touted as the largest LGBT global sports and cultural gathering. Participants do not have to be gay, organisers said.
Supporters of the bid described the games as a victory for the status of the LGBT community in the city.
“This is a big step forward for Hong Kong itself to be able to win this world game … and it is also a big step for diversity inclusion,” said Alfred Chan, chairperson of Hong Kong’s Equal Opportunities Commission, a statutory body that supported the bid.
Hong Kong, a cosmopolitan former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that promises it a high degree of autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland.
While discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal, gay marriage is not recognised in the territory.
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“I don’t feel any discrimination. But of course I know some out there (do),” said 46-year-old Hong Kong resident Eddie Leung, who participated in the Gay Games in Sydney 15 years ago.
“That’s why we need to fight.”
The games are expected to attract over 15,000 participants and provide a HK$1 billion ($128.19 million) boost to the economy, according to the Hong Kong bid team’s press release.
The team was supported by a long list of corporations including airline Cathay Pacific, financial services company Credit Suisse Hong Kong Limited and law firm Linklaters LLP.(Agencies)
