We are stronger, when we unite in diversity.

First held in San Francisco in 1982, the Gay Games has since grown to a size comparable to the Olympics, with over 10,000 athletes and artists participating and exceeding the number of participants in every Summer Olympic Games since 1992. And in November 2023, the Games continued to evolve with the quadrennial event being held in two different cities for the first time – Hong Kong and Guadalajara – and held the first to be held in either Asia or Latin America.

Hesperus Mak (he/him) is a Strategy Director at Wunderman Thompson . A part of our WPP family, Hesperus shares his story as both a volunteer for GAY GAMES 11 HONG KONG 2023 and as a competing athlete.

This time last month, Gay Games 11 had officially started in Hong Kong and Guadalajara! It was the first time in its 40-year history that the Gay Games is hosted in Asia and in Latin America. In Hong Hong, GGHK was a 9-day sporting and cultural event that everyone could participate in, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, or even training level.

And for me, as a WPP employee in Hong Kong, as a Gay Games competitor and as part of the GGHK organising committee, it’s a story of tenacity and togetherness.

The story started about a year ago when I read an ad about Gay Games Hong Kong recruiting for volunteers in the Sports team. Then, in the spirit of participation, I decided to put myself into a challenge, competing in dragon boating, with zero experience and zero team!

To be honest, I never thought finding 10 paddlers would be that hard! I asked more than 70 friends and strangers to form a team. A few said yes, but then dropped out. There were times that I almost gave up. But I kept going, and then the magic happened.

It is very much like the coming together of Gay Games Hong Kong. As a fully volunteer-run organisation, we faced countless challenges to make it happen, but we pushed through it together. Sitting in the Opening Ceremony when teams marched in was an incredibly magical moment.

Going into the competition, I was hoping we wouldn’t come last – so when we won our heat, I was shocked! Then we won the semi-finals, and finally brought home the silver medal, competing against some other more experienced teams!

The trophy was just a bonus, though. My biggest win is the friendship I unexpectedly built in the last few months, especially in an environment where we are free to be ourselves.

Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best are the core principles of Gay Games. The only way one can do their personal best is when they are included and supported by a community.

As one of the speakers in the Opening Ceremony said, “we still have a long road to go”. There are still corners in the world that some of us can’t be ourselves. But we are stronger, when we unite in diversity