Hong Kong Lawmakers Reject Bill for Same-Sex Couples' Rights

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.

The bill stemmed from a long-running legal challenge initiated by Sham, who had wanted official recognition of his marriage to his husband, married in New York in 2013.

Although the Hong Kong's top court shot down the push for legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2023, the Court of Final Appeal mandated that the Hong Kong government develop an alternative framework within two years to acknowledge same-sex unions.

This year's bill aimed to meet that legal obligation by proposing a registration system for same-sex couples and granting them certain rights, including hospital visitations and medical decisions for their spouses.

Despite the backing of the city's chief executive, John Lee, who warned that a rejection would violate Hong Kong's rule of law and bring about serious consequences, the bill faced criticism from both LGBTQ activists and legislators, who argued it undermined traditional family values.

The rejection puts the government in a tight position as they strive to meet a looming deadline by October 27 to formulate a suitable legal framework. This decision also signifies a rare divergence between the legislature and the government in a landscape where they typically align politically.

Amidst rising public support for same-sex marriage, recent surveys indicate that 60% of Hong Kong residents favor the legalization of same-sex marriage, a significant increase from a decade prior. Additionally, Hong Kong hosted the Gay Games in 2023, marking a milestone as the first time the competition was held in Asia.