In a setback to the city’s gay rights movement, Hong Kong lawmakers rejected a contentious bill that would have given same-sex spouses limited privileges. Of the 89 members of the city’s Legislative Council (LegCo), 71 vetoed the bill, which would have granted some privileges to couples who were married abroad. After an effort to legalize same-sex marriage was rejected, the administration suggested compliance with a 2023 court verdict.
Although the city has been seen as growing more gay-friendly in recent years, the estimated 6% of those who identify as LGBTQ have little rights there. According to recent surveys, support for the community is growing.
The measure’s rejection was criticised by human rights organisation Amnesty International, which called it an “alarming disdain” for LGBTQ rights and encouraged Hong Kong officials to provide a revised and new bill.
Jimmy Sham, an LGBTQ rights activist from Hong Kong, called the bill’s failure “deeply regrettable” and stated that the government’s inability to defend the rights of same-sex couples “would remain an open wound. The government won’t “turn a blind eye to the current illegal and unconstitutional situation,’ he continued.
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