In the bustling city of Hong Kong, where the vibrant blend of cultures and traditions has long thrived, the first-ever Gay Games in Asia are set to begin. The games, scheduled to start this Friday, come with a purpose that extends beyond sports, as participants like Gina Benjamin, a football enthusiast and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, take to the pitch with determination.
For Benjamin, the games represent not only a chance for victory but also a platform to push for legal reform on same-sex marriage. Moving to Hong Kong from Britain in 2016, she found true love in the city but was met with local laws that recognized only heterosexual marriages. This led her and her partner to travel to the British Embassy in Vietnam to marry, an experience that left her frustrated. She sees the games as an opportunity to show the government the city’s strong support for equal rights for same-sex couples.
Lisa Lam, co-chair of the Gay Games, emphasizes that LGBTQ+ acceptance in Asia still lags behind global standards, making it crucial to make sexual minorities visible in the community. “Biases come from misunderstanding or stereotypes,” Lam says, “Bringing different people together, you are able to break down stereotypes.”
Despite the event’s potential to promote Hong Kong as an inclusive international financial hub, the government’s support has been limited, and some lawmakers have even expressed concerns about national security. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a downsizing of the event, and Guadalajara, Mexico, was named as a co-host. The high costs and safety concerns deterred many potential visitors.
However, amid these challenges, LGBTQ+ activism in Hong Kong continues to make progress. Recent court rulings have supported transgender rights and granted equal housing and inheritance rights to same-sex couples married overseas. Hong Kong is also moving toward recognizing same-sex partnerships, following a landmark ruling in September. While government policies may take time to fully incorporate equal rights, members of the LGBTQ+ community in Hong Kong remain proactive, seizing every opportunity to drive change and promote inclusivity.
As Emery Fung, a founder of a diversity and inclusion consultancy and a volunteer for the games, aptly puts it: “I hope that ultimately, there will be a day when people won’t need to specifically state what kind of person I am or what kind of person you are; we just all live together.”
In the heart of Hong Kong, the Gay Games represent not just a celebration of sports but a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ rights in the region, resonating with a message of change that transcends boundaries.