Some Hong Kong Lawmakers Flag Concerns as the City Prepares for Gay Games 2022

Preparations are underway for the Gay Games 2022, but some lawmakers have voiced concerns about Hong Kong hosting the event.

During a meeting held last Aug. 25, 2021, independent lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu described the Gay Games in Hong Kong (GGHK) as a “wolf in sheep’s skin” and said the arrival of foreign nationals would cause “chaos” and potentially endanger Hong Kong’s national security.

Priscilla Leung Mei-fun from the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong also flagged concerns about the impact of the event on locals’ perception of same-sex marriage, which she said could lead to a divided society

On the other hand, the New People’s Party called on the government to provide further assistance with the preparations for the event, while urging officials to support human rights.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai said the Gay Games is about bringing sports, arts, culture, and the community together through physical activities regardless of gender identity.

Hong Kong is the first city in Asia to organize the games, which will happen from Nov. 11-19, 2022. About 12,000 participants are expected to join the event along with 75,000 spectators and 3,000 volunteers from 100 countries.