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).
Proposed to comply with a 2023 court ruling, the bill aimed to address the legal status of same-sex couples amid rising support for LGBTQ rights among the population. Activists criticized the rejection, highlighting a growing divide between government initiatives and legislative approval, marking a split that is rare in Hong Kong politics.
The bill, which outlined a registration system allowing some rights, including hospital visitations and medical decisions, faced backlash for being insufficient, leading to calls from human rights groups for a revised version that fully recognizes same-sex marriage rights. Demonstrating a shift in public perception, polls from 2023 revealed 60% support for same-sex marriage in Hong Kong, a significant increase from 38% a decade ago.
This development underscores the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights in the region, as activists like Jimmy Sham continue to press for formal recognition of their unions, following legal battles that began with his own marriage in New York.
Proposed to comply with a 2023 court ruling, the bill aimed to address the legal status of same-sex couples amid rising support for LGBTQ rights among the population. Activists criticized the rejection, highlighting a growing divide between government initiatives and legislative approval, marking a split that is rare in Hong Kong politics.
The bill, which outlined a registration system allowing some rights, including hospital visitations and medical decisions, faced backlash for being insufficient, leading to calls from human rights groups for a revised version that fully recognizes same-sex marriage rights. Demonstrating a shift in public perception, polls from 2023 revealed 60% support for same-sex marriage in Hong Kong, a significant increase from 38% a decade ago.
This development underscores the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights in the region, as activists like Jimmy Sham continue to press for formal recognition of their unions, following legal battles that began with his own marriage in New York.
