28th March 2023 – (Hong Kong) The Gay Games 11 Hong Kong (GGHK) has announced new Ambassadors and details of its highly anticipated arts and culture program. GGHK aims to promote Hong Kong as a city of culture, sports, entertainment, and community. The event will take place from 3rd to 11th November, co-hosted with Guadalajara, Mexico, and will be held in both Asia and Latin America for the first time in its 40-year history.
GGHK has unveiled a group of participants from the reality show “Boyscation” as its new Ambassadors. The show is Hong Kong’s first gay dating reality show, bringing together 12 men from all walks of life trying to find love while exploring the challenges they face with their own gay identity within the family, at work, or with friends in a Chinese society. The new Ambassadors include Louis Ng, Juzco Nam, Ray Ma, Kenny Yang, Nathan Naidu, and Kevin Tsai.
GGHK has also announced the most extensive Arts and Culture Programme in its history, celebrating the richness of LGBTQ+ culture and the global community. The program includes a multi-night Gala Concert series, Visual Arts exhibitions, Memorial Exhibition, and a variety of partner events and parties. The inclusive and diverse program aims to promote unity and inclusion as Hong Kong reinforces its reputation as a welcoming, world city.
The Gala Concert Series is one of the highlights of the Arts and Culture Programme, featuring multiple nights of international and local pop, dance, classical, and performance artists at a world-class concert venue. GGHK participants will enjoy discounted and priority tickets, while General Admission tickets will be open to the public. The three-night gala event includes performances from renowned artists such as Courtney Act, Hong Kong Gay Men’s Chorus, Miss Janni, Prumsodun Ok and Natyarasa, Rainbow Fighters, Silvy, Terence Siufay, Virgin X, and Zelos Wong. More talent will be announced over the next few months.
GGHK is in talks with the Cultural Department of the Mexican Consulate General of Hong Kong and Macau to incorporate aspects of Mexican culture and contributions from Mexican creators into the program to show solidarity with our co-hosting city, Guadalajara. This will make GGHK even more unique and diverse, celebrating not only LGBTQ+ culture but also the culture of different countries.
GGHK’s registration fee is HK$1,500 (US$193) plus sports fees to participate in specific sports. However, to ensure that this is truly a “Games for All,” GGHK is offering up to 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.
GGHK’s co-chair, Lisa Lam, said, “The Gay Games have been around for 40 years, but it was never held in Asia in the past. This is Hong Kong’s time, especially as we emerge strongly from the pandemic. By celebrating diversity, love, and inclusivity, Gay Games will help show the world the liveliness and vibrancy of Hong Kong this November. The Gay Games validate every person and demonstrate what inclusivity looks like. This is why our over 200 passionate volunteers, including myself, are working hard to bring a successful Gay Games to Hong Kong.”