More sparks fly ahead of Gay Games start

Staff reporter

Executive Council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee will remain the guest of honor at the Gay Games opening amid ongoing debates with anti-LGBTQ lawmakers - including Junius Ho Kwan-yiu - who view the gathering as a threat to national security.

The games are being held from today to November 11 with a variety of sports, including aquatics, athletics, ball games, racquet sports and mahjong. The opening ceremony is tomorrow.

The games will be held at different venues, including the University of Hong Kong's Stanley Ho Sports Complex in Pok Fu Lam and the Hong Kong Football Association's training center in Tseung Kwan O.

Games co-chair Lisa Lam Mun-wai said Ip will remain as guest of honor at the opening ceremony at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai, but added that the government will not be sending officials.

Lam also said the event respects Hong Kong laws and "strives for unity in diversity by fostering understanding among people from diverse backgrounds."

The games are funded by sponsors and participants.

"The organizing committee of the games is also a registered group so we have professional auditors checking our accounts, which is an open and transparent process," she said.

Lam was responding to comments by anti-LGBTQ lawmakers and activists, including Ho, who urged authorities to ban the games, claiming they posed a threat to national security and demanding Ip's resignation for backing the event. They said the games use US dollars as their currency and promote same-sex marriage, which is against national policy.

Ho said: "The Gay Games are a sweet poison placed under the disguise of diversity, equity and inclusion. [Supporters of the event] are trying to promote and legalize same-sex marriage. The event also has strong connections with foreign forces so it is therefore illegal and should be banned."

In response, Ip said there is no reason for her not to attend the opening ceremony.

"Chief Executive [John Lee Ka-chiu] has not stopped me from going and neither has the central government," Ip said.

"It is only this batch of people saying something that the international community will find funny. I cannot see how the government can ban the opening ceremony. If the event hampers national security law, police would have done something."

Ip also called on lawmakers to refrain from making groundless remarks

"What they are saying is [almost] defamation. I don't know if it is due to the elections that there is a need to smear me and the candidates from my [New People's Party]," she said, referring to next month's district council polls.

Philosopher and commentator Thomas Leung In-sing slammed Ip for being "irresponsible."

Leung said Ip refuses to listen to people's opinions and is "not willing to participate in a political consultation, which runs contrary to China's consultation philosophy."