Letters | Why the Gay Games in Hong Kong matter for Asia

Readers write in about the significance of the first Gay Games to be held in Asia, the possible expansion of Brics, and why China must stop the Ukraine war

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The Hong Kong delegation at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Gay Games in Paris. Photo: Gay Games Hong Kong

Published: 11:30am, 25 Jul 2023

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We are only 100 days away from the Gay Games, a celebration of diversity, inclusion and acceptance. They provide a platform for visibility, empowerment and advocacy. Most importantly, they represent a community that shares the same passion for sport and the values of respect, dignity and equality.

For minorities, representation and visibility matter. Having role models is very important. We hope that positive role models from the games will help remove stereotypes of LGBTQ+ people, and also help young people who may be questioning their own sexuality or gender identity to feel less alone. Professional athletes who have come out can live their authentic selves and succeed in sports at the same time. A common sentiment among our athletes is their feeling of relief over not having to live a lie.

With some parts of the world in a worrying swing back to anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes, events like the Gay Games in Hong Kong are more important than ever.

In Asia, there are not that many opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community to come together at scale, and participate in an international event that celebrates the spectrum of identities not always accepted in broader society. The inclusive nature of the games, which are open to anyone regardless of sexual orientation, is part of the event’s unique strength.

We are aware of the risks and challenges that come with hosting such a large-scale event in a complex, dynamic and multidimensional world. But our team has not lost sight of the event’s purpose, which is simply to celebrate diversity and inclusivity through sport, arts and culture. We are proud of how much the team in Hong Kong has accomplished in spite of the challenges.