Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 marks one-year countdown to next year’s grand event

World’s Largest Multi-Sports & Arts & Culture Event open to all, welcoming 7,000 athletes and artists, and 25,000 spectators in Nov 2023

HONG KONG, Nov. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 (GGHK) today marked the one-year countdown to the Games at a VIP event at the JW Marriott Hotel. Attended by The Honourable Mrs Regina Ip LAU Suk-yee, Convenor of the Executive Council, and Mr Allan Zeman, Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, the occasion marks the start of final preparations to stage an inclusive, welcoming and exciting GGHK from 3-11 November 2023.

Since the opening of full registration on 8 October, GGHK has seen a steady stream of participants for this global extravaganza of sports, arts, culture, community and FUN. Gay Games 11 will be co-hosted with Guadalajara Mexico and will be held in both Asia and Latin America for the first time in its 40-year history.

Under the theme “Unity In Diversity,” the Games aim to promote unity and inclusion as Hong Kong reinforces its credentials as a welcoming, world city. The Gay Games principles of “Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best” ensure that everyone is welcome to participate. There are no pre-selection criteria for any events.

Mrs Regina Ip said, “I am delighted to attend the ‘One-Year Countdown’ Reception of Gay Games 11. You have reached an important milestone in your long journey to be the first Asian city to host the Gay Games, in conjunction with Mexico’s Guadlajara. From a dream which started in 2014, you have overcome many challenges. You have won the right to host the Gay Games in Hong Kong by beating many worthy competitors from different parts of the world; you have won support from many sectors of our society as well as international organisations and corporations; you have overcome the uncertainty caused by our social disturbances in 2019 and the Covid-induced travel restrictions. Now our city is ready to re-connect to the world, and GGHK is ready to enter the final stage of preparations. This is a history-making sports, arts & culture event that showcases our support for inclusiveness and diversity. I must take my hat off to the organisers for their indefatigable efforts to carry on organising the Gay Ganes, through

thick and thin, over so many years. I am glad I have stood by the organisers since 2014, and I offer my warmest congratulations and best wishes for the success of the Games.”

“The Games are about bringing people together through sports, arts and culture, open to all and everyone,” said Dr Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group. “This makes Hong Kong the perfect place to celebrate unity, diversity and inclusion. I look forward to welcoming participants of all races, sexual orientation, gender identities, age and abilities to an event that celebrates who we are and what we represent.”

GGHK co-chair Lisa Lam said that organisers were looking forward to welcoming thousands of international participants to our city with open arms to participate in one of the world’s largest multi-sports and arts & culture events.

“Hong Kong offers visa-free access to 170 countries, and enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the world. We are a safe, exciting and welcoming city,” said Lisa.

“Our city is a unique melting pot of East and West, offering an enticingly wide variety of activities for visitors, whether it’s our heritage and culture, award-winning culinary offerings, energetic nightlife, or natural beauty. For many participants this visit will be a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experience that gives them a sense of belonging and empowerment and during which they will make friends for life.”

Chief Executive of Pink Alliance, Jerome Yau, said: “We are thrilled that the one-year countdown to GGHK has begun! Hong Kong boasts one of the most dynamic LGBTQ+ communities in Asia, and we are ready to celebrate diversity and inclusion in sports, arts and culture with athletes, performers and spectators from across the region and the world. Let’s come out and have a great time!”

GGH2023K will feature 20+ sports, including new sports added for Hong Kong: Dodgeball, Trail Running, Dragon Boat Racing and one of the world’s six official Mind Sports – Mahjong. Other sports include Rugby Sevens, Badminton, Field Hockey, Fencing, Football (Soccer), Marathon (half/full), Swimming, Road Races (5 &10 km), Martial Arts, Rowing, Sailing, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis and Track & Field.

Aside from Sports, the Games will feature spectacular Opening & Closing Ceremonies, a Festival Village, daily arts & culture events, three nights of headlined Gala Concerts, diversity-themed art exhibitions, and a variety of events to celebrate the Gay Games’ 40th anniversary.

Open to everyone aged 18+, the Games welcome anyone to participate regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and athletic ability.

The registration fee is HK$1,500 (US$193) plus competition fees for specific sports. To ensure that this is truly a “Games for All,”, GGHK is offering funding support including:

• 1,000 fee waivers for younger people below the age of 25, as well as migrant workers, domestic helpers and minorities, on a first-come-first-served basis funded by private donors.
• From 8 October to 31 December, GGHK is offering an early bird discount that brings the registration fee down to HK$1,050 (US$134).
  Participants can register online at GGHK2023.com.

Media information

https://gghk2023.com/en/press/

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About Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023
Gay Games 11 Hong Kong will take place on 3-11 November 2023, the first event of its kind in Asia. Under the theme “Unity in Diversity” the Games will feature a wide variety of sporting events, opening & closing ceremonies, festival village, and arts and culture events. Supporting organisations include the Equal Opportunities Commission, InvestHK, BrandHK and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, with Marriott Bonvoy and YouTube as Platinum Partners.
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About the Federation of Gay Games (FGG)
The FGG mission is to promote equality and social change for LGBTQ+ people through its quadrennial sports and culture event, the Gay Games. Conceived by Dr Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, the Gay Games principles are “Participation, Inclusion, and Personal BestTM” and it was first held in San Francisco in 1982. It is now the world’s largest quadrennial LGBTQ+ sports and cultural event open to all, that is organised and led by LGBTQ+ artists and athletes. Other Gay Games have been held in San Francisco (1986), Vancouver (1990), New York (1994), Amsterdam (1998), Sydney (2002), Chicago (2006), Cologne (2010), and Cleveland+Akron (2014). The most recent Games, in Paris (2018), involved over 10,000 participants from 91 countries, 3,000 volunteers, 36 sports, and 14 cultural events, and pumped 107.6 million Euros into the local economy.
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