Lawmakers in Hong Kong have rejected a controversial bill that would have granted limited rights to same-sex couples, in a blow to the city's gay rights movement.
The law, which would have recognised some rights for couples who were married overseas, was opposed by 71 of the city's 89-member Legislative Council (LegCo). It was proposed by the government to comply with a 2023 court ruling, following the rejection of an attempt to legalise same-sex marriage.
While the city has in recent years been perceived as becoming gay-friendly, it has limited rights for the estimated 6% of the adult population who identify as LGBTQ. Recent polls suggest there is rising support towards the community.
Human rights group Amnesty International criticised the rejection of the bill, saying that it showed an 'alarming disdain' for LGBTQ rights, and urged Hong Kong authorities to introduce a new and revised bill.
Hong Kong LGBTQ rights activist Jimmy Sham said it was 'deeply regrettable' that the bill did not pass and that the government's inability to protect same-sex couples' rights 'would remain an open wound'. He added that he believed the government would not 'turn a blind eye to the current illegal and unconstitutional situation'.
The bill stemmed from a long-running legal challenge to legalise same-sex marriage initiated by Sham, who had wanted official recognition of his marriage to his husband. The pair were married in New York in 2013.
The Hong Kong's top court shot this down in 2023, but in a partial victory for activists, the Court of Final Appeal said at the time that the Hong Kong government had to formulate an alternative framework within two years to recognise unions between members of the same sex.
This year's bill was an attempt by the Hong Kong government to fulfil this legal obligation, proposing a registration system for same-sex couples married or with civil unions overseas, granting them rights such as hospital visitation and medical decision-making for spouses.
Despite being backed by the city’s chief executive John Lee, the bill faced criticism for being insufficient by LGBTQ activists and opposition from LegCo members who argued against support for same-sex marriage. The rejection means further delays for the government, which has a deadline of October 27 to propose a new framework.
The vote also illustrated a rare split between the legislature and the Hong Kong government, particularly significant given the pro-Beijing leanings in LegCo since a national security law was imposed on the city.
Public support for same-sex marriage has been trending upward, with a 2023 survey indicating that 60% of respondents were in favor, a notable increase from 38% a decade ago. Notably, the territory hosted the Gay Games for the first time in Asia earlier this year.}
The law, which would have recognised some rights for couples who were married overseas, was opposed by 71 of the city's 89-member Legislative Council (LegCo). It was proposed by the government to comply with a 2023 court ruling, following the rejection of an attempt to legalise same-sex marriage.
While the city has in recent years been perceived as becoming gay-friendly, it has limited rights for the estimated 6% of the adult population who identify as LGBTQ. Recent polls suggest there is rising support towards the community.
Human rights group Amnesty International criticised the rejection of the bill, saying that it showed an 'alarming disdain' for LGBTQ rights, and urged Hong Kong authorities to introduce a new and revised bill.
Hong Kong LGBTQ rights activist Jimmy Sham said it was 'deeply regrettable' that the bill did not pass and that the government's inability to protect same-sex couples' rights 'would remain an open wound'. He added that he believed the government would not 'turn a blind eye to the current illegal and unconstitutional situation'.
The bill stemmed from a long-running legal challenge to legalise same-sex marriage initiated by Sham, who had wanted official recognition of his marriage to his husband. The pair were married in New York in 2013.
The Hong Kong's top court shot this down in 2023, but in a partial victory for activists, the Court of Final Appeal said at the time that the Hong Kong government had to formulate an alternative framework within two years to recognise unions between members of the same sex.
This year's bill was an attempt by the Hong Kong government to fulfil this legal obligation, proposing a registration system for same-sex couples married or with civil unions overseas, granting them rights such as hospital visitation and medical decision-making for spouses.
Despite being backed by the city’s chief executive John Lee, the bill faced criticism for being insufficient by LGBTQ activists and opposition from LegCo members who argued against support for same-sex marriage. The rejection means further delays for the government, which has a deadline of October 27 to propose a new framework.
The vote also illustrated a rare split between the legislature and the Hong Kong government, particularly significant given the pro-Beijing leanings in LegCo since a national security law was imposed on the city.
Public support for same-sex marriage has been trending upward, with a 2023 survey indicating that 60% of respondents were in favor, a notable increase from 38% a decade ago. Notably, the territory hosted the Gay Games for the first time in Asia earlier this year.}
