Dispute Over Hong Kong Gay Games Continues: Official Labels It “Disgraceful”
The Gay Games were set to be held in Hong Kong in 2022 but cities officials continue to argue about whether the games should be allowed to go forward. Lawmaker Regina Ip urged the Hong Kong government to offer support for the games when organisers found difficulty finding event venues, reports Human Resources Director.
Ip believes supporting the games would help advocate Hong Kong’s metropolitan image and boost the economy. Rival politician, Junios Ho opposes the games, saying, “Whatever you do in your room, it’s your own business. But if you do it in public, it’s disgraceful.”
One lawmaker, Priscilla Leung, has said the event might even “tear apart society”. According to Human Resources Director, the backlash over the Gay Games being held in Hong Kong comes with worries that the event will anger conservative sectors such as religious and family-oriented groups.
According to the Federation of Gay Games website, the event was founded in 1982 in San Francisco by Dr Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and exists to promote equality, diversity and inclusion through sport and culture. With Hong Kong officials allegedly feuding over whether the games should be allowed to be hosted in the city, the politicians have been warned against showing bias towards LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Ricky Chu, chairman at the Equal Opportunities Commission said, “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. All people can participate in the sports event and it is completely different from advocating same-sex marriage.”
“We hope society can stop the stigmatisation and uphold the values of equality and respect,” said Chu.
With the Chinese Communist Party exerting its political will over the once semi-autonomous island of Hong Kong, many in the global LGBTIQA+ community are concerned that the Gay Games will not go ahead.
