Hong Kong has become the first ever Asian city to put a bid in for the Gay Games, the biggest international LGBTI sports and cultural gathering in the world. LGBTI sports organisation Out in HK has put a bid in for the 2022 games, alongside cities such as Tel Aviv and Los Angeles. It hopes hosting the games will improve the lives of LGBTI people in the city. Dennis Philipse, founder of Out in HK told the Post “Hosting the games in Hong Kong will make change because the guy in Starbucks or the taxi driver will have a completely different awareness of the LGBT people. “In its 40th anniversary, it is time to take the Gay Games back to its founding aims by planting a flag in fresh fields, where the promotion of its principles can have the greatest effect.” Philipse says 40 per cent of the city is made up of nature parks which would provide opportunities for activities and events never before hosted by the Games. Out in HK is a non-commercial group that welcomes and connects all members and friends of the LGBT community in Hong Kong with an interest in developing a fit and healthy lifestyle. The group organises and promotes regular events include hiking, running, rock climbing, swimming, yoga, sailing, diving, volleyball, and badminton. The group started in August 2014 and has since organized 233 events with 3,352 participants. The bidding process for the 2022 Gay Games will run until the end of November and the next Gay Games will be held in Paris in 2018.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 27th April 2016 - 6:23pm