‘We have no political causes’: Hong Kong Gay Games organisers dismiss lawmakers’ claims over event nature and funding from foreign states or related groups

‘We are not a political party. We have no political causes. The games are to promote diversity and inclusion,’ says Lisa Lam, co-chair of the Games, as event begins

Group of anti-LGBTQ lawmakers has urged government to scrap the event, claiming it poses threat to national security and subverts traditional family values

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The Hong Kong Gay Games, the first in Asia, is scheduled to run from Friday to November 11. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:51pm, 3 Nov 2023Updated: 9:15pm, 3 Nov 2023

The organisers of the Hong Kong Gay Games have dismissed claims that the event is political in nature and receives funding from foreign governments or related groups, following accusations from anti-LGBTQ politicians.

Lisa Lam, co-chair of the Games, was speaking on Friday as the nine-day event got under way amid an escalating war of words and calls from the group of lawmakers for authorities to scrap the tournament on the grounds of national security and its alleged subversion of traditional Chinese values.

“We are not a political party,” she said on a radio programme. “We have no political causes. The Games are to promote diversity and inclusion.”

Lam added the sporting event would not be a platform to promote gender equality or same-sex marriage, as had been argued by some lawmakers, and urged society not to pin a label on the event.