The First Gay Games in Asia Welcomes All
June 11, 2021
In recognition of International Pride Month, this June we’re spotlighting some of the incredible organizations and individuals in our network working to achieve equal justice and equal opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community. Today, we feature previous Beyond Sport Global Award entrants, the Federation of Gay Games (FGG).
The 11th Gay Games, hosted by sanctioning body FGG, is an international and inclusive sports event that is set for its first-ever run in Asia next year. The Gay Games Hong Kong anticipates 12,000 participants and 75,000 spectators from 11-19 November 2022, competing under the theme 'Unity in Diversity'. It will include a Festival Village, Arts & Culture events with daily performances, a Gala Concert, LGBTQ+ art exhibitions and a variety of events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Gay Games. Everyone is welcome to participate regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability or background.
According to the South China Morning Post, the Gay Games - founded as the "Gay Olympics" - started in San Francisco, California in 1982 as the brainchild of Olympic decathlete (Mexico City 1968), Dr. Tom Waddell. In 1994, they were held in June in New York City to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, considered the modern start of the LGBT movement. At the time, 10,864 athletes competed which was more than at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics or the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Hong Kong was announced as the host city of the 11th Gay Games in 2022 at a gala event in Paris on October 30, 2017. The last Gay Games were held in Paris in August 2018.
FGG's mission is to promote equality and social change for LGBTQ+ people and the event prioritizes “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best.” With plans to open general registrations this month, Gay Games Hong Kong and the FGG recently announced that they will be hosting soccer tournaments along with 35 other planned sports events including Dragon Boat Racing (traditional to Hong Kong), Dodgeball, eSports and Trail Running.
Joanie Evans, co-president of FGG stated, “we have always been about promoting sports and arts & culture to bring people and communities together, and I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made in the LGBTQ+ community. We look forward to welcoming everyone to GGHK 2022 to participate in our football/soccer tournament!”
The Gay Games have become the world’s largest quadrennial LGBTQ+ sports and cultural event internationally, organized and led by LGBTQ+ artists and athletes. At the forefront is the aim to increase the level of participation among women, youth and transgender people. Organizers have actively been building stronger relationships with these communities to encourage greater representation and participation.
Given the discrimination gay athletes face in sports, on both the amateur and professional levels, these Games are seen as crucial as some of the participants hail from countries with strict anti-gay laws, like Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
“We’re confident that Hong Kong represents an attractive and welcoming destination and host city for all to enjoy the Gay Games. We’ve seen excellent engagement levels with the Games so far and we’re only expecting excitement levels to rise as we draw closer to the Games,” said Dennis Philipse, the founder and co-chair of the local organizing committee.
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