Opening Ceremony Gallery: Gay Games XII València 2026

On 27 June 2026, athletes, supporters, performers, and LGBTQIA+ communities from across the world gathered at Estadi Ciutat de València to mark the opening of the Gay Games XII—the first edition of the Games to be held in Spain and the Mediterranean region. Through sport, culture, and collective celebration, the evening affirmed the values of diversity, inclusion, and human rights that continue to define the movement.

This gallery documents moments of joy, solidarity, performance, and reflection as participants from different countries and communities came together to celebrate visibility, belonging, and the power of global connection.

Photographs by Xolani Sithole and Andile Msomi for Muholi Art Institute.