Addressing the misconceptions & impact of the Gay Games Hong Kong 2022
Last September I decided to apply for the volunteer position of Event & Operations Manager - Festival Village at the Hong Kong Gay Games 2022. I’m happy to say that I’ve landed the gig!
So why did I join? The short version; for those of you who know me, I’m not a spiritual nor religious person, but when the job ad appeared on my social media feed I thought it was the perfect opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself.
With my 15+ years' experience in public relations, marketing & events, I wanted to join the ever-growing current team of 100+ volunteers & roll up my sleeves to make The Games Hong Kong’s biggest international event post-covid on the 2022 calendar as well as the best event it has ever hosted [I see you Hong Kong Sevens]. I liked the idea of being part of a legacy - it being the first games hosted in Asia – by actively contributing to making it the most successful edition in the 40-year history of the Games, whether it be based on economic contribution, the highest number of participants, the biggest year-on-year increase of heterosexual athletes, contribution to social change contribution or the largest media coverage!
Here’s the thing though!
Being part of the LGBTQ+ community myself, before the bidding process kicked off in 2015, I didn’t even know the Gay Games existed. Until I landed the volunteer position I didn’t know anything about The Games. I knew nothing, nada, niente! I didn’t know what they stand for. I did not realise the sheer scale nor did I know about the magnitude when it comes to social impact & economic contribution. And yes, not afraid to admit it, I might have had some preconceived misconceptions….
I can only assume that you know little to nothing either, might have certain misconceptions, or have a battery of questions waiting to be answered. So let’s kick this quickfire fact-finding mission off.
Without further ado, here’s what you – straight or queer folk – need to know!
Are the Gay Games an LGBTQ+ only event?
Let’s kick things off with debunking the biggest myth and/or misconception surrounding the Games. The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT! The Games welcome anyone and everyone to compete - regardless of qualifying ability - in all sporting events [and to participate in associated cultural ones ] no matter whether you are straight, gay or somewhere in between.
It’s an inclusive event across all spectrums of gender, race, religion, nationality, age and ability. You can be a 'recreational athlete', an Olympic medallist or a pro-athlete. It’s a “We the people” celebration, a global event where ‘birds of a different feather flock together’ so to speak.
What are the Gay Games?
The Gay Games, nicknamed the Gaymes, are a quadrennial event [every four years], just like the Olympics. It’s a 9-day multi-sports & cultural event featuring thousands of athletes [of all different levels] from countries all around the globe to celebrate sportsmanship, equality, love, acceptance and #unityindiversity. Personally, I think it can, and should, be a celebration of whatever you want to it to be.
Did you know that:
The Gay Games were intended to be called the Gay Olympics but a lawsuit filed by the IOC [International Olympics Committee] less than three weeks before the inaugural Gay Olympics forced the name change to Gay Games.? **
The first Games were held in San Francisco in 1982, founded an hosted by former Olympic athlete Dr Tom Waddell, which had more than 1300 athletes from 12 countries competing in 17 sports?
The Gay Games, founded at the beginning of the AIDS crisis, became an important opportunity for the LGBT community to celebrate life and promote acceptance?
Since its kick-off, the Games have travelled the world from the States to Canada, Netherlands, Australia, Germany, & Paris and now Hong Kong?
In 1994 it injected an estimated US$ 100 million into the New York economy, US$55 million in Amsterdam in 1998, US$60 million in Sydney’s 2002 Games, US$ 25 million in Chicago's 2006 Games, US$53 Cleveland & Akron's 2014 Games, US$128 million in Paris' 2018 Games [US$79 million in the main sectors of the economy & an additional US$49 million in local income].
In 2017 Hong Kong beat 16 other cities to the finish line to host the first Asia-based edition.
At the postponed 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics an estimated 11,091 Olympians will compete, while at the Hong Kong Gay Games an estimated 12,000 athletes will battle it out for gold, silver and bronze.
In 2026 Hong Kong will hand over the baton as host to another city. Which city will it be? The 8 contenders being considered by the Federation of Gay Games, out of the 20 bids received, are Auckland – New Zealand, Brisbane – Australia, Guadalajara – Mexico, Munich – Germany, San Diego – USA, Taipei – Taiwan, Toronto – Canada & Valencia – Spain.
**Not to worry, since then both organisations have buried the hatchet. They, for instance, unified their efforts to successfully lobby to have HIV travel restrictions waived for the 1994 Gay Games in New York & the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Why does the LGBTQ+ community has their own Olympic-style competition?
I might not be a “we-the-community’ kind of person, but the fact of the matter is that I am part of a minority.
Honestly, the Gay Games are not any different from the many “Olympic Spinoffs” like the Special Olympics, Paralympics, the Maccabiah Games [International Jewish Olympics] and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex’s Invictus Games, which brings together wounded, injured or sick armed services personal and their associated veterans to compete in nine sports.
I know there are people who believe the Gay Games are an indication [or confirmation if you will] that the LGBTQ+ community is not able to or willing to integrate into society. Personally, I am not necessarily striving for ‘integration’ so much as I want to have equal rights. These, to me, are two separate things.
As Fabrice Houdart, former United Human Rights Officer, said in 2018: “If you look at the situation of LGBTQI rights globally, one of the largest facts that remains is the lack of visibility. An event like the Gay Games gives an opportunity to LGBTQI people to be visible in a positive manner”. Call me crazy, but I’d like to believe visibility creates understanding, and understanding can lead to tolerance, acceptance and respect, which are all key-ingredients to facilitate equality.
And YES, the Gay Games are a largely LGBTQ+ event - based on the low percentage of heterosexual athletes participating – but once again the Games are open to non-LGBTQ+ athletes. Personally I hope that the Hong Kong edition shatters the record of straight athletes participating and sets the bar for any future editions.
Despite its name, should the Gay Games be labelled as ‘our own Olympic-style competition”? I don’t think so.
Why are events like the Gay Games so important?
Besides building community & creating visibility, another aspect, which is important if you are looking at the global world of sports, is homophobia.
From the outset, one of the aims of The Games was to combat homophobia in sports. Unfortunately, even in 2020, it remains rampant throughout amateur and professional levels. According to ‘Out on The Fields’ - the first international study on the experiences of LGB people in sports – 82% of the 9494 participants said they witnessed or experienced homophobia in sports.
It has been widely reported that most gay athletes still feel compelled to hide their sexuality to safeguard or succeed in their careers. To visualise this;
During the 2008 Summer Beijing Olympics, only 15 athletes out of the 10,708 were openly gay, lesbian or bisexual.
In the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, only 6 athletes [all women] were openly gay or lesbian out of the 2,566 participants.
While at the 2012 Summer London Olympics this number has risen to 23 out of the 10,768 participants.
During the 2014 Winter Sochi Olympics, a merely 7 openly gay athletes competed out of the 2873 athletes.
In the 2016 Summer Rio de Janeiro, 68 athletes out of 10,444.
And in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics 16 athletes of 2,914.
While events like the Paralympics challenge the boundaries set by society with the aim to provide athletes with the opportunity to develop and maximise their potential as world-class athletes, the Gay Games are challenging the status quo, are [hopefully] breaking down fears, are dispelling myths that LGBTQ+ people are this tiny group of stereotypical people, and show that LGBTQ+ people have their place in sports.
The Gay Games give everyone a chance to train hard, to pursue their passion, to connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds, points of views, countries and cultures, to unite and compete in an event that is uplifting and just plain fun!
When will the Games take place, and what can I expect?
From 11 – 19 November 2022, the Games will feature 36 sports, including 4 new sports - unique to Hong Kong – such as dragon boat racing, dodgeball, eSports & trail running [see a list of all the sports here]
Even though sports are the cornerstone of the Games, the fun won’t be confined to the Hong Kong Stadium & other sports facilities. The rainbow will spill into the streets of Hong Kong with the pop up of a giant outdoor centrally-located 10,000 pax ‘Festival Village’ for which a team of 5 – including myself – plus a small army of volunteers are responsible for bringing to life. We will be curating & creating daily immersive experiences featuring art & cultural events, games & demonstrations, brand activations, live music performances and of course food.
But the fun doesn’t stop there, I truly believe the Games will put Hong Kong on full blast with a full calendar of official events, conferences, fireside chats & a laundry list of unofficial afterparties.
Why is it so important for the Games to be held in Hong Kong?
As you may or may not know, Hong Kong law doesn’t recognise same-sex relationships and sexual orientation & gender identity are not included in its anti-discrimination laws.
"This is a big step forward for Hong Kong itself, to be able to win this world game...and it's also a big step for diversity inclusion". - Alfred Chan, Chairman Hong Kong's Equal Opportunities Commission
However, in recent years there have been strides in Hong Kong’s culture resulting in limited recognition as a result of a series of events and milestones; the 2008 first-ever 1000-strong Pride Parade, the win awarded by a high court to a trans woman to exercise her right to get married in 2013, the few recent landmark cases which have allowed same-sex couples to apply for dependent visas, to receive spousal benefits in the civil service and to jointly file tax returns or receive equal treatment under inheritance law, and last but certainly not least, the staggering 64,000 attendees of this year’s first virtual Pink Dot Hong Kong.
Although Hong Kong still has quite the distance to go before the LGBTQ+ community is recognised and treated as true equals, the 2019 study, published by the Sexualities Research Programme at the Chinese University of Hong, showed that 60% of the 1,058 respondents were in support for LGBTQ rights, which indicates a shift worthy of a quote by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke: “A change is gonna come”.
While the Olympics were designed as an international festival intended to utilise sport’s capacity to develop character, promote understanding across cultures, bring political enemies together as fellow competitors and friends, and ultimately to reduce the dangers of war by strengthening peace and unity amongst all people, Tom Waddell [bio] founded the Gay Games with the goal to promote the spirit of inclusion and participation, as well as the pursuit of personal growth in a sporting event.
So what’s the importance for Hong Kong?
The answer is not a definitive one. Depending on who you ask, it may vary. But I believe all answers have one common thread based on one single hope-instilling word; potential!
Let’s face it, the Games might not be a transformational event but it has the potential; The potential for setting the stage of Asia’s first-ever successful celebration of LGBTQ athleticism & and inclusive world community. The potential of increasing the visibility of Asia’s LGBTQ+ community. The potential for more people to see the breadth & depth of this community. The potential of an estimated US$ 128 million [HK$ 1 billion] injection into the economy. The potential of growing support of LGBTQ+ rights in Hong Kong [the city I have called home since 2008] and the region. The potential of real representation of LGBTQ+ people in the media.
The potential of powerful images and messages for people everywhere about the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings.
I would love to participate, but I don't want to compete. Can I?
Sure! There are so many ways you can take part. The biggest event is the Opening Ceremony at The Hong Kong Stadium on 12 November and we are working hard to follow up the Ceremony with an Opening Party of epic proportions.
If you love watching sports, there are 36 sports to choose from which you can attend as a spectator all across the city. And of course, the team and I would love to see you walk through the gates of our Festival Village to attend events and other experiences.
What can I do to support the 2022 Games?
Whether you’re an individual, a group of friends/co-workers or a company, alliance – as we know – can take many forms. Whether it be backstage or front & centre on the proverbial barricades, we welcome all support in whatever shape, form or commitment. We would love for you to be part of our alliance.
Donate or Fundraise
Become a patron or donor, either yourself, as a team, or on behalf of an organisation. You can give little as US$ 5 or donate/fundraise US$ 100, 300, 1000 all the way up to US$50,000 [luminary]. Every dollar means the world to us.
Participate
Compete, become an athlete.
Join the Opening Ceremony in the Hong Kong Stadium.
Be a spectator at 1 of the many sports competitions during the Games.
Visit the Festival Village from 11- 19 November 2022.
Attend one of our events during the Games
Educate & Amplify
Reach out to our GGHK organising team to put together an outreach event at your company, club or organisation.
Issue a company staff memo to encourage employees to participate and compete as an individual or as a ‘company or department’ team
Attend one of our future virtual or face-to-face events or seminars leading up to the Games
Sign up for our newsletter.
Volunteer
Check out our specific vacancies here, or simply fill out our volunteer form
Company Sponsorship [cash or in-kind]
Activate your brand and become a branded partner. For more info see here
Become an official media partner.
Hope you enjoyed my latest blog entry and feel free to share it, like it, leave a comment. If you have any questions or would like to contact me, please send me an email at olaf@gghk2022.com
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The reality is that the Games will take place in 2 years from now, but social change towards the LGBTQ+ community in Hong Kong [and the rest of the world] will take much longer than a mere 24 months or even 2 or 4 years.
As humans it’s in our nature, when things are no longer top of mind, to revert back to business as usual. It’s part of our DNA to deal with whatever is in front of us but then we move on to the next. There are many ways how you can support the Games and/or the community. But I hear you thinking: “What does my alliance look like?”. If you view yourself or want to view yourself as an ally of the Games and/or LGBTQ+ people, you need to ask yourself the very hard questions; Am I onboard? How long am I onboard for?
How you will answer these questions will help you define what your alliance will look like. No matter whether you are onboard for the short-haul and disembark after the closing ceremony, or you are an ally in for the long haul [beyond the Games], I believe as long as you are doing something to enact change. That's what's important. No matter how big or how small, whether you are an ally engaging anonymously backstage or out & proud it WILL impact the Games and the community.
I think Shawn Finnie, Associate Director of Member Relations & Outreach at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences [The Oscars] said it best when it comes to being or wanting to become an ally. Although I don’t think we should, nor can we compare the black community, its history or its ongoing struggles with the LGBTQ+ community, I do believe there are certain parallels, especially when it comes to being an ally.
While moderating an episode of ‘the Academy Dialogues - Icon Mann: We Are Culture’, a virtual panel focussed on the Academy’s black membership and the challenges of being successful in a system that was designed to be exclusionary and how black artists break through barriers and truly realise the power and meaning behind “We are culture. Nothing moves without us” he said:
“Allies or wanting to be allies asking me how I can participate?. What can I do? What can I learn? What can I read? What can I watch?. It’s like..it’s not my history you need to learn, it’s yours. You need to learn about your history. I need you to learn what your part was, and not you specifically when you weren’t around but your family’s part. I need you to understand because with that understanding of your own history comes accountability. And then when you understand what that is, I need you to go educate your other friends. And then I need you to amplify that. That’s the power you have as an ally. You have the power to have those spaces and have those relationships that maybe we not necessarily have but it’s your job. It’s your job not to learn my history, it’s your job to learn yours and then it’s your job to not only educate everyone around you but to amplify that message. Because that message is where there is change!”
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Source Materials: The Federation of Gay Games, Gay Games Hong Kong, The Internaional Olympic Committee, The South China Morning Post, Tatler Hong Kong, Wikipedia, Chicago Tribune, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, outsports.com , Outonthefields.com, marketintherainbow.com