Melbourne has pulled out of the running to host the 2030 Gay Games, but Perth in Western Australia remains on the shortlist along with Auckland and Denver.
Upset advocates blamed Victoria’s state government for not committing funding, but Deputy Premier Ben Carroll said Melbourne already had too many homosexual events, such as the Midsumma Festival.
“This was always just an expression of interest process. It wasn’t led by the Victorian government, it was led by another body, but we’ve got a full calendar of events,” he said.
Members of Victoria’s bid advisory committee told ABC News the government would only have needed to commit funding in the “low millions” and they were “shattered” to lose support after being given the impression officials were supportive.
Julie Williams said the event could have attracted about 10,000 homosexual athletes to compete in 25 different sports.
The Gay Games is held every four years but competitors do not need to qualify and cover all of their own costs.
Tourism minister Steve Dimopoulos was heavily criticised after speaking out in favour of the bid in August, just a year after then-premier Dan Andrews cancelled the Melbourne 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Victoria’s shadow minister Sam Groth said at the time: “After wasting $600 million on the Commonwealth Games debacle, how can any Victorian have confidence Labor can deliver this event?”
Earlier this year Victorian authorities warned gay men to get vaccinated for monkeypox ahead of super-spreading “pride” events such as Melbourne’s Midsumma festival. The vaccine is provided free to homosexuals and prostitutes.
Header image: Left, the Melbourne Gay Games bid logo. Right, spectators at a Gay Games event in Guadalajara, Mexico (Gay Games – Facebook)
