Last Tuesday, the Federation of Gay Games announced that Hong Kong is one of the 17 cities bidding to host the Gay Games in 2022.
This cements Hong Kong as the first ever Asian city to do so and signifies a step forward for the city’s LGBTQ community.
Other cities in the running to host the Games include: Anaheim (California), Atlanta (Georgia), Austin (Texas), Cape Town (South Africa), Dallas (Texas), Denver (Colorado), Des Moines (Iowa), Guadalajara (Mexico), Los Angeles (California), Madison (Wisconsin), Minneapolis (Minnesota), Salt Lake City (Utah), San Antonio (Texas), San Francisco (California), Tel Aviv (Israel), and Washington, DC.
Since their inception in 1982, the Gay Games (similar to the Olympic Games) have been endorsing the spirit of inclusion and participation by providing a platform for athletes, musicians, and artists in a community that is oftentimes side-lined.
In the spirit of inclusion, anyone is welcome to join this international sporting and cultural event, regardless of sexual orientation “or any other qualifying standards”. (You hear that, couch potatoes?)
Out in HK, an organisation that connects all members of the LGBTQ community in Hong Kong, is leading the efforts to bring the Gay Games to Hong Kong and hopes to bring attention to the city’s lack of legal rights and protections for the community, as well as promote equality and tolerance.
The announcement for the probable host will be made in January 2018.
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