Hong Kong could become the first Asian city to host the ‘gay Olympics’.

Organizers are celebrating as it was shortlisted alongside Guadalajara, in Mexico, and Washington DC, in the US.

The winning city to host the 2022 Gay Games will be announced in October.

Hong Kong advocates hope the city will be chosen as the ‘Gay Games needs to come here because we need to improve LGBT rights.’

Unlike Mexico or the US, Hong Kong has no legal recognition of same-sex unions and does not allow adoption by gay couples.

‘We believe that Hong Kong is this perfect city to represent Asia,’ fellow co-chair Dennis Philipse added.

‘Asia is the world’s largest continent and home to an estimated 221 million LGBT+ people, but is also a region where there is an ongoing struggle to overcome homophobia and gain acceptance.’

Los Angeles, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City and San Francisco were unsuccessful in their bids to host the Gay Games.

First hosted in San Francisco in 1982, the Gay Games has become the largest international sport celebrating LGBTI athleticism.

The 2014 games were hosted in Cleveland, Ohio, while Paris will host the 2018 games.