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Anti-LGBTQ lawmakers call for ban on Hong Kong Gay Games, saying it poses threat to national security

  • Critics of gay rights call for investigation into source of event’s funding, saying it may amount to collusion with foreign forces
  • They also call for top government adviser Regina Ip to resign for agreeing to officiate at opening this weekend, but she rejects claims as ‘ridiculous’

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Lawmaker Junius Ho attends a press conference in the Legislative Council building on Wednesday calling for a ban on the Gay Games. Photo: Edmond So
Anti-LGBTQ lawmakers have urged authorities to ban the Hong Kong Gay Games set to open this weekend, claiming it poses a threat to national security and demanding the resignation of a top government adviser officiating at the event.
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Ridiculing their claims on Wednesday, Executive Council convenor Regina Ip vowed to continue her open support for the Games, while the organisers insisted they were holding a sports and cultural event to promote inclusivity and unity.

The 11th Gay Games run from November 3 to 11 and will be held in Asia for the first time since the event’s inception in 1982, with about 2,000 athletes expected to compete.

Seven lawmakers – Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, Peter Shiu Ka-fai, Duncan Chiu Tat-kun, Michael Lee Chun-keung, Carmen Kan Wai-mun and Tik Chi-yuen – held a press conference joined by more than a dozen other critics to voice their opposition to the event.

“We object to any Western ideology that sugar-coated its agenda in the name of diversity and inclusivity for a sports event, attempting to subvert national security,” lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu said.

Lawmakers including Junius Ho (third from right) present a letter at the Legislative Council building on Wednesday calling for a ban on the Gay Games. Photo: Edmond So
Lawmakers including Junius Ho (third from right) present a letter at the Legislative Council building on Wednesday calling for a ban on the Gay Games. Photo: Edmond So

He described the event as a “criminal activity” that spread the ideology of gay rights, subverting traditional Chinese family values.

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