Supporters celebrate opening of Gay Games in Hong Kong, first in Asia, despite lawmakers' opposition
The Hindu
Despite opposition from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers, athletes celebrated the opening of the Gay Games in Hong Kong, the first time the event has been held in Asia. Nearly 2,400 participants from 45 territories will compete in a variety of sports and culturally rich activities. LGBTQ+ activism is making progress in HK, with court wins for same-sex couples and moves toward recognizing partnerships.
Scores of athletes celebrated the opening of the Gay Games in Hong Kong on Saturday despite opposition from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers, marking the first time the international sporting event to be held in Asia.
Nearly 2,400 participants from about 45 territories, including Britain, the United States, and Australia, will compete in a variety of games, from tennis and swimming to culturally rich activities like dragon boat racing and mahjong in the nine-day event.
The games are being held concurrently in the Mexican city of Guadalajara featuring many of the same events, a first for the competition that was first held in San Francisco in 1982.
Following the procession of athletes, a series of performances followed, highlighting Hong Kong's Chinese culture, but also incorporating modern dance, musical theater and lion dancers.
LGBTQ+ activism is a rare spot that is still making considerable progress in Hong Kong under a government crackdown on its civil society following the 2019 pro-democracy protests. The games foster hopes for a wider inclusion of sexual minorities in the Asian financial hub after court wins last month over housing and inheritance rights for same-sex couples married overseas.
The city is also moving toward a framework for recognizing same-sex partnerships following a landmark ruling in September.
But the city's LGBTQ+ development is uneven. There is no law against discrimination based on sexual orientation and same-sex marriage is not recognized. While there is growing social acceptance for sexual minorities, especially among the younger generation, a portion of the local society remains conservative.
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