Asia’s first Gay Games to kick off in Hong Kong, fostering hopes for wider LGBTQ+ inclusion

By KANIS LEUNG
Associated Press

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong is set to launch Asia’s first Gay Games on Friday, fostering hopes for wider LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Asian financial hub. After a year’s delay due to the pandemic, the nine-day event will host about 2,400 participants from some 40 territories. LGBTQ+ activism is a rare spot that is still making considerable progress in Hong Kong under a government crackdown on its civil society. In recent months, the courts have ruled in favor of granting equal rights to same-sex married couples. While government policies may take years to fully incorporate their equal rights, many members of the LGBTQ+ community are proactively seizing every opportunity to drive small changes.