29 June 2026 | Images by Andile Msomi and Xolani Sithole

Day 3 at the Gay Games XII València 2026 reminded us that the Games are about far more than competition. They are spaces where culture, conversation, creativity, and community come together, allowing people to celebrate who they are and the worlds they are building together.

The day began behind the scenes with Let's Make Up, an inclusive and LGBTQ+-friendly school, as students and artists prepared members of the Valencia fashion team for the runway. There was anticipation, laughter, and a sense of collective care as everyone worked toward the evening's showcase.

We then joined Out Loud: Pride Talks, including Valencia Without Discriminations, a session led by ONDIS, València's Municipal Non-Discrimination Office. The discussion explored what it means to create a city where every person can live freely, safely, and with dignity, regardless of identity or background.

Throughout the day, additional Pride Talks created opportunities for dialogue, reflection, and exchange. These conversations highlighted the importance of community-led spaces where experiences can be shared across generations and across borders. Beyond the formal programme, music echoed through València as pop-up performances by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC, and Cor a Cor de València brought people together in public spaces, demonstrating how the Gay Games extend into the everyday life of the city through shared voices and celebration. The cultural programme includes choral festivals and spontaneous performances across multiple venues, reinforcing the Games' commitment to community through music and artistic expression.

One of the most moving sessions was Resistance to Legacy, featuring Caroline Symons (Australia), Hugh Torrance (United Kingdom), and Joanie Evans (United Kingdom), with Lisa Hunter serving as moderator. Their discussion reflected on memory, activism, and the responsibility of preserving queer histories while continuing the work of those who came before.

The gallery also features portraits of Ange Saenz, co-creator of Out Loud: Pride Talks, whose work has helped create spaces for meaningful dialogue, reflection, and community connection throughout the Gay Games.

The evening concluded with the Valencia Queer Fashion Show, a vibrant celebration of identity, artistry, and self-expression. Organised by Art Segrelles as part of the Gay Games XII València 2026 cultural programme, the event celebrated LGBTQIA+ designers and their enduring impact on the world of fashion. The runway became a space of joy and affirmation, where fashion served not only as performance but also as a powerful declaration of visibility, creativity, and pride.

Photographs in this gallery were captured by Andile Msomi and Xolani Sithole, whose work preserves the energy, intimacy, and humanity that define these moments. Through their lenses, the stories of Day 3 become part of a larger archive of queer celebration and belonging.

In the spirit of Professor Zanele Muholi’s commitment to representation and visual activism, Muholi Art Institute continues to document these gatherings as acts of memory, visibility, and collective care, ensuring that the people, conversations, and creative expressions that shape the Gay Games remain seen and remembered.