XI Edition
Making History Together
November 3rd - 11th
Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico) will be fortunate to co-host with Hong Kong the 11th edition of the Gay Games 2023. From November 3 to 11 of this year, the city will host the world’s largest and most important multi-sport and cultural event for the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
For the first time in its history, the Games will be held in a Latin American city and Asia. An event that will count with the participation of +4,000 athletes and +6,000 visitors from more than 40 countries.
The arrival of the Gay Games to Guadalajara represents a great opportunity for social change towards the LGBTIQ+ community, as well as the generation of jobs and growth opportunities for all. It is also an opportunity to celebrate diversity, and demonstrate why Guadalajara is a city that embraces inclusion, equality and progress.
During the Games you will be able to compete in 22 sporting events: Track & Field, Badminton, Dancesport, Basketball, Bowling, 5K and 10K road races, Cheerleading, Diving, Dodgeball, Soccer 7, Soccer 11, Golf, Powerlifting, Marathon and Half Marathon, Wrestling, Swimming, Figure Skating, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball and Waterpolo.
You will also be able to enjoy 2 Exhibition Galas: Pink Flamingo™ and Dancesport.
The best sports and cultural venues will host the Gay Games XI Guadalajara 2023: Manuel Ávila Sports Center, Revolution Sports Center, Alcalde II Sports Center, Alcalde I Sports Center, Ilusion Bowl (Zona Real), LARVA, Metropolitan Sports Center, Bugambilias Ice Rink, “El Cielo” Country Club, Paradero Sports Center, López Mateos Sports Center, Luis Quintanar Park and Metropolitan Park.
Under the slogan “Juntxs Creando Historia” (Making History Together), Guadalajara sends a message of unity to the whole world to tell them that for the first time in history, the Games will be held in Mexico and Latin America (as well as in Asia), and will mark a before and after for our communities.
A before and after that will be possible when we face and work together on the challenges and problems experienced by LGBTIQ+ communities around the world. Hence the historical opportunity to be able to organize the World Diversity Games from other latitudes where people of sexual diversity exist and resist (all together … from all over the world for a common purpose: to promote equality, diversity and inclusion through sport and culture).
Therefore, we make history together when we build safe spaces for the LGBTIQ+ community, we make history together when we contribute to a freer, fairer and more equal society for all, and we make history together when we work and recognize all the colors of diversity.
Why Guadalajara, Jalisco?
Guadalajara is known for its hospitality, its party and its culture, its gastronomy but also for its openness to diversity and respect for all orientations, identities and gender expressions, this and more makes Guadalajara and Jalisco the perfect place to celebrate diversity and together receive the Gay Games 2023.
It is also well known in Mexico and abroad that Guadalajara and some of their municipalities in the state of Jalisco, such as Puerto Vallarta are particularly gay-friendly; proof of this are the public policies in favor of the LGBTIQ+ community that the municipal and state governments have promoted in recent years, for example:
- Recognition of same sex marriage
- Recognition of the self-perceived identity of trans people, including childhoods and adolescence.
- Homoparental and lesbomaternal adoption
- Prohibition of the misnamed “conversion therapies”
- The aggravating circumstance in the Penal Code of the State of Jalisco in cases of homicides motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity.
- The creation of the Specialized Coordination for the Attention of Sexual Diversity Crimes of the Human Rights Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Jalisco
- Several of the municipalities of the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (AMG) and the interior of the state of Jalisco have directorates/departments focused on creating public policies in favor of LGBTIQ+ populations.
- The Undersecretary of Human Rights of the Government of Jalisco, through the Directorate of Sexual Diversity, implemented the Mechanism for Attention to Victims of Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, which provides legal guidance and accompaniment to ensure that the rights of LGBTIQ+ people are guaranteed.
- The Directorate of Tourism of the Government of Zapopan created the Distinctive I (with the support of the Chamber of Commerce of Guadalajara for its implementation) to train and sensitize the tourism sector: hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, tour operators, car rental companies, airlines, airport staff, ground transportation companies and bus station staff, among others, in order to reduce inequality and create an inclusive city for everyone (Distintivo I has four modules: Indigenous Peoples, LGBTIQ+ Community, People with Disabilities and Get to Know Zapopan).
- The state of Jalisco has a State Law to Promote Equality, Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination and some municipalities have Regulations to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination that include mechanisms for filing complaints (in addition to administrative measures and economic sanctions for establishments that do not comply with such provisions).
- The State Human Rights Commission has a Specialized Area on Sexual Diversity (LGBTTTIQ+).
This becomes relevant when we talk about a favorable and friendly climate towards the LGBTIQ+ community, because we want you to live and experience the best of our city and our state. We are waiting for you with open arms!