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HONG KONG - The Gay Games Hong Kong (GGHK) kicked off on Saturday, its first time in Asia, despite opposition from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers and human rights activists.
The opening ceremony began with a march-in by the GGHK, Federation of Gay Games, and delegations from around the world, followed by performances including the Hong Kong lion dance.
"The vision of the Gay Games has always been to create a sports, arts, and culture festival that celebrates participation, inclusion, and personal best," said Lisa Lam, co-chair of GGHK.
Lam said GGHK was proud to introduce an all-genders category in multi-sports for the first time, so that people of all genders can compete together.
Over 2,300 participants from 45 countries are expected to take part in sporting and cultural events, including, dragon boat racing and mahjong.
The Mexican city of Guadalajara is co-hosting the event.
Hong Kong has no law against discrimination based on sexual orientation and does not recognise same-sex marriage.
A ruling by its top court in September set a two-year deadline for the government to establish a legal framework to recognise same-sex unions.
The government did not send officials to the opening ceremony, warning the organisers in August that the Games must be conducted in a “lawful, safe and orderly manner”.
Beijing imposed the National Security Law (NSL) on the city in 2020 after months of anti-government protests. The law punishes subversion, collusion with foreign forces and terrorism with terms of up to life in prison.
Regina Ip, convener of the city’s top decision-making body the Executive Council, was the only pro-establishment figure at the opening ceremony, despite calls from anti-LGBTQ lawmakers for her to resign.
"The holding of the Gay Games in Hong Kong is strong testimony to the diversity, inclusion, and unity of our city," Ip said in her welcoming speech.
"Equal opportunity and non-discrimination are highly treasured by our government and our people."
Pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho on Thursday sent a letter to the city's leader John Lee, saying that the agenda of the gay games is to promote same-sex marriage, accusing it of violating the NSL.
Five Hong Kong human rights activists also called for the Games to be cancelled in June, saying organisers "have aligned themselves with pro-authoritarian figures responsible for widespread persecution against the people of Hong Kong".
Taiwan is not sending athletes to Hong Kong but to Guadalajara, citing security concerns over the NSL.
Opposition did not dampen the excitement, spectators chanted, cheered and waved before the opening ceremony.
“This is a good idea because especially China is not very fond of the gays. So this is to become visible in China as queer people,” said Gerrit Schulz, 80, a participant from Berlin.
Source: Reuters
尽管反对，香港仍举办亚洲首届同性恋运动会
香港 - 尽管遭到反 LGBTQ 立法者和人权活动人士的反对，香港同性恋运动会 (GGHK) 于周六开幕，这是该运动首次在亚洲举行。
开幕式以GGHK、同性恋运动总会和来自世界各地的代表团的入场仪式拉开序幕，随后进行了包括香港舞狮在内的表演。
GGHK 联合主席林丽莎 (Lisa Lam) 表示：“同性恋运动会的愿景始终是打造一个体育、艺术和文化节日，庆祝参与、包容和个人最佳表现。”
林表示，GGHK很荣幸能够首次在综合运动项目中引入不分性别的类别，让所有性别的人都可以一起竞争。
预计将有来自 45 个国家的 2,300 多名参与者参加龙舟赛和麻将等体育和文化活动。
墨西哥城瓜达拉哈拉是该活动的共同主办者。
香港没有针对性取向歧视的法律，也不承认同性婚姻。
最高法院九月份的一项裁决为政府设定了两年的期限，以建立承认同性婚姻的法律框架。
政府没有派官员参加开幕式，并在八月份警告组织者，奥运会必须“合法、安全和有序”进行。
经过数月的反政府抗议活动后，北京于 2020 年在该市实施了《国家安全法》(NSL)。 该法对颠覆、勾结外国势力和恐怖主义行为的处罚最高可达终身监禁。
香港最高决策机构行政会议召集人叶刘淑仪是开幕式上唯一的亲建制人士，尽管反 LGBTQ 议员呼吁她辞职。
叶女士在欢迎辞中表示：“同性恋运动会在香港举行，有力地证明了我们城市的多样性、包容性和团结。”
“我们的政府和人民高度重视机会平等和非歧视。”
亲北京议员何君尧周四致信香港领导人李约翰，称同性恋运动会的议程是促进同性婚姻，并指责其违反了国家安全法。
五名香港人权活动人士也呼吁取消六月份的奥运会，称组织者“与对香港人民进行广泛迫害的亲独裁人士结盟”。
台湾以国家超级联赛的安全考虑为由，不会派运动员前往香港，而是前往瓜达拉哈拉。
反对声并没有浇灭观众们的兴奋，开幕式前观众们高呼口号、欢呼雀跃、挥手致意。
“这是个好主意，因为尤其是中国不太喜欢同性恋。 因此，这将在中国以酷儿的身份出现，”来自柏林的 80 岁参与者格里特·舒尔茨 (Gerrit Schulz) 说道。
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