A delegation from Cape Town travelled to Washington DC last weekend to present the city’s bid to host the 13th Gay Games in 2030 and received a standing ovation from delegates of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), reflecting strong international support.
Cape Town is currently one of seven cities, and the only one on the African continent, contending to host the 2030 Gay Games.
The bid emphasised Cape Town’s capability to safely host a major international event, highlighting its standing as a global tourism and events hub. Since 1982, the quadrennial Gay Games have been hosted in cities worldwide although neither Africa nor South America has yet hosted the event. The games are celebrated for promoting diversity, participation, inclusion and personal achievement for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Ian McMahon, a key supporter of Cape Town’s bid, noted that the games typically attract over 10 000 participants of all skill levels, competing in more than 30 sports over 10 days. “Athletes across the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identity are welcome to participate, making it one of the most inclusive sporting events globally,” he said. In addition to sports, the Gay Games include a cultural programme featuring theatre, choral and music performances, art exhibitions and remembrance ceremonies.
David Ryan, Co-chair of the Gay Games Cape Town 2030 Bid Committee, sees the bid as an opportunity to reshape narratives about queer identity in Africa. “While the Mother City is known among the global LGBTQIA+ community as the Gay Capital of Africa, we envision the Gay Games as a catalyst for conversations and lasting change around LGBTQIA+ acceptance in Cape Town, South Africa, and the continent.”
The Cape Town bid team comprises influential LGBTQIA+ advocates including Sheryl Ozinsky, MCQP founder Andre Vorster, Olympian Leigh-Ann Naidoo and activist Ndumie Funda. Event specialists WorldSport South Africa are leading the operational planning with a proposed programme featuring 34 sports and 12 cultural events.
Geordin Hill-Lewis, Cape Town Mayor, expressed his support for the bid. “South Africa is a beacon of diversity and inclusion with one of the most progressive constitutions upholding human rights. In Cape Town, you can live authentically, protected against discrimination based on beliefs, gender identity or sexual orientation.” He encouraged support for Cape Town’s bid to bring the games to Africa.
Cape Town submitted a formal bid in August and progressed to one of the final seven contending cities. Competing cities include Denver (USA), Auckland (New Zealand), Edmonton (Canada), Melbourne and Perth (Australia) and Taipei (Taiwan). The shortlisted cities are expected to be announced in December and the final decision in late 2025.
