Supporters celebrate opening of Gay Games in Hong Kong, first in Asia, despite lawmakers' opposition

(4 Nov 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY: SNTV CLIENTS MAY USE

ASSOCIATED PRESS - SNTV CLIENTS MAY USE
Hong Kong - 4 November 2023
1. Zoom in to two people from Hong Kong team kissing and cheering
2. Mid of Hong Kong team taking part in the parade
3. Mid of San Francisco team
4. Mid of Australian team
5. Mid of Canadian team
6. Mid of Taiwanese team
7. Wide of French team
8. Wide of the opening ceremony
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Joanie Evans, Co-President, federation of Gay Games:
“I hope you will be amazed over the coming days, and we'll see how important the Gay Games are for you and your LGBTQ+ community. All of you here tonight are living proof of our mantras, participation, inclusion and personal best, well done.”
10. Mid of Colombian team
11. Mid of British team
12. Mid of Indian team
13. Mid Netherlands team
14. Mid of Philippine team
15. Mid of Singaporean team
16. Mid of Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip walking up to stage
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Regina Ip, Hong Kong lawmaker:
“The holding of the Gay Games in Hong Kong is strong testimony to the diversity, inclusion and unity of our city. (applause) Equal opportunity and non-discrimination are highly treasured by our government and our people. These values are born out by the numerous judgments, which our independent courts have handed down in the past decade.”
18. Various of light show together with ceremony participants holding light sticks
STORYLINE:
The opening ceremony of the first Gay Games in Asia was held in Hong Kong on Saturday after a year's delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nine-day event is hosting 2,400 participants from some 40 countries and territories, competing in a range of games, from tennis and swimming to culture events like dragon boat racing and mahjong.

The opening ceremony featured parades of athletes, followed by a dance performance, a pop music show and a lion dance.

No Hong Kong senior government officials attended the event.

But Regina Ip, a veteran lawmaker and advisor to Hong Kong's leader John Lee, joined the crowd and gave a speech.

“The holding of the Gay Games in Hong Kong is strong testimony to the diversity, inclusion and unity of our city," she said.

The opportunity to grow Hong Kong’s reputation as an inclusive international city did not draw much support from the government.

Some Hong Kong legislators spoke out against the event, which was supported by corporate sponsors such as Marriott and HSBC.

Same-sex marriage is not yet legal in Hong Kong, and the government is going through legal proceedings, potentially requiring it to propose a new policy on LGBTGQ+ equality.

The city of Guadalajara in Mexico is the co-host of the games.

AP Video shot by Alice Fung

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/f15f13bc9978480ca8e76955e1779892

Видео Supporters celebrate opening of Gay Games in Hong Kong, first in Asia, despite lawmakers' opposition канала AP Archive