Hong Kong’s Regina Ip says city is ‘creating history’ by hosting Gay Games, amid calls from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers to cancel event
- Hong Kong co-hosts Asia’s first Gay Games since sporting event was established in 1982, despite calls from critics for contest to be cancelled on national security grounds
- ‘We are proud to be the first Asian city to co-host the Gay Games,’ veteran politician Regina Ip says during seven-minute speech at opening ceremony
The opening ceremony for the Hong Kong Gay Games kicked off on Saturday despite calls from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers for the contest to be cancelled, as veteran politician Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee commended participants for helping to make history.
The convenor of the Executive Council, the city’s top decision-making body, gave a 7-minute speech at the opening ceremony for the Games and welcomed participants to the city.
“History is being created today,” Ip said. “We are proud to be the first Asian city to co-host the Gay Games.”
Attendees cheered throughout her speech, but the veteran politician received her longest ovation when she touched on the recent ruling by the city’s Court of Final Appeal requiring local authorities to establish a framework that recognises same-sex unions.
“These court judgments, together with the holding of the Gay Games, fully demonstrate our city’s unfailing commitment to protect minority rights and maintain Hong Kong as a vibrant, tolerant and pluralistic society,” Ip said.
Shortly before the event started, about 10 protesters stood outside Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, the venue for the ceremony, and called for Hongkongers to boycott the contest over claims it went against Christian values.
The Post observed about 24 police officers patrolling the area ahead of the opening ceremony, while four of the force’s vehicles were parked nearby.
