Gay Games Start Today in Mexico’s Guadalajara and Hong Kong, Despite Some Backlash in Asia
November 3, 2023
This year’s Gay Games, co-hosted by Mexico’s Guadalajara and Hong Kong, start today, with thousands of participants expected to attend the event from over 40 countries. Over 4,000 participants are expected to attend Guadalajara’s event, and around 2,300 participants in Asia.
Image credit: Federation of Gay Games
Recent backlash and lack of government support for the HK Gay Games sadly has dampened the appetite to attend the Gay Games in Asia, which is expecting a lower turnout than originally anticipated.
Registration for the event in HK has been at a historic low and events have had to be cancelled, admitted the organizer. “The COVID-19 pandemic posed some extraordinary circumstances that have disrupted our Gay Games cycle significantly,” stated Duncan Campbell, Officer of Communications for the Federation of the Gay Games (FGG). “However, we believe the best possible solution has been to honor the hard work that Hong Kong has put into its preparations over the previous years by continuing to hold the event in Hong Kong, whilst concurrently hosting another event in Guadalajara. Whilst this decision has had a significant impact on registration numbers, we believe this is actually a great opportunity for us to host in different continents simultaneously, allowing even more people around the world to celebrate LGBTQ+ sports with us.”
The Gay Games are already in full swing in HK today, despite some opposition from local lawmakers and politicians who oppose LGBTQ+ rights, also citing security concerns. “The Gay Games can make a difference for LGBTQ+ people living across Asia, with LGBTQ+ groups from countries like Cambodia, which haven’t really been recognised before at a Games, attending the event this year,” shared Joanie Evans, Co-President of the Gay Games, currently in HK. However, Taiwan’s delegation decided to compete in Mexico’s Guadalajara instead of Asia over concerns about the national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong and personal safety of their athletes.
“Legal systems abroad may differ significantly from what you are accustomed to at home, however, we have been working with government agencies in Hong Kong to ensure the safety and freedom of expression of our participants and attendees,” highlighted Campbell, adding that “it is essential that everybody educates themselves on local laws. “This includes the National Security Law which specifically relates to political expression. The Gay Games is not a political organization and we cannot be held responsible for individuals who break local laws, unknowingly or otherwise.”
The work of the FGG is about "social impact and advancement of the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in sports," stated Campbell. " And we believe that despite political problems in different countries, LGBTQ+ people still deserve access to sports. Our mission is to grant that access, especially in places where it is less accessible. And at times this means doing our work where other social and political conflicts exist. It will not stop us and our Games will continue.”
This is an Asian Gay Games and “we hope it will make a difference in the region,” added Evans. "Sporting events in Asia include swimming, tennis, mahjong and the popular dragon boat racing, represented by many corporate teams to support their LGBTQ+ employees."
Unlike HK, Mexico’s Guadalajara event has full government support celebrated with a massive Pride parade. However, there have been some concerns about gay men being targeted for crime in Guadalajara.
“Part of the due diligence that FGG undertakes as an organization is to “ensure the host city we choose is a safe place for LGBTQ+ people to travel to, and be their authentic selves whilst there,” explained Campbell. “This due diligence did not highlight any specific concerns about targeted crime against gay men. However, we will continue to reiterate that it is essential that all LGBTQ+ people treat their personal safety with the highest priority while travelling in any foreign country.”
Click here to find out more and register for this year’s Hong Kong Gay Games or click here for Mexico’s Guadalajara Gay Games.
myGwork is the official media partner of the Gay Games 2023.
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