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.
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 married in New York in 2013. The legislation proposed a registration system for same-sex couples married or united overseas, granting limited rights such as hospital visits.
Ultimately, the rejection leaves Hong Kong's government needing to reformulate options to meet an approaching deadline, marking a rare split between the legislature and the government amid Beijing’s tightened control over the city.
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.
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 married in New York in 2013. The legislation proposed a registration system for same-sex couples married or united overseas, granting limited rights such as hospital visits.
Ultimately, the rejection leaves Hong Kong's government needing to reformulate options to meet an approaching deadline, marking a rare split between the legislature and the government amid Beijing’s tightened control over the city.
