My Take | Gay Games is a reminder that all people deserve respect and equality
- The event attracted controversy before it opened yet its mission of “unity in diversity” is one that we should all rally to and embrace
The Gay Games have finally begun. The opening ceremony in Hong Kong yesterday marked the culmination of a long and very challenging six-year journey.
There are far fewer participants than first hoped for and the number of events has been scaled back. But staging the Games at all, for the first time in Asia, is an achievement in itself.
This is one of the world’s biggest sports and cultural events. Over the next week, some 2,400 competitors from 45 countries and territories will take part in 18 disciplines ranging from traditional sports such as badminton and swimming to local favourites dragon boat racing and mahjong.
Tonight and tomorrow will see a glamorous gala concert featuring performers ranging from the Hong Kong Philharmonic to famous drag acts Shea Coulee and Courtney Act.
A sister event is simultaneously being held in Guadalajara in Mexico, the first Latin-American country to play host.
Hong Kong was a different place when it was awarded the right to stage the Games in 2017. Since then, the city has experienced civil unrest, a new national security law and three years of pandemic restrictions. The Games were postponed for a year because of Covid-19. Guadalajara was added as co-host because of concerns Hong Kong’s curbs on travel would prevent overseas participants from attending.
