Hong Kong Legislature Rejects Bill on Same-Sex Couple Rights, Sparking Criticism

On Wednesday, Hong Kong's Legislative Council rejected a bill that aimed to provide limited legal rights to same-sex couples who had registered their marriages or relationships abroad. This decision has sparked criticism from gay rights organizations.

The bill, put forward by the government, suggested a registration system. This system would have granted certain rights, such as hospital visitation, to same-sex couples who had already formalized their unions in other countries. The government's proposal followed a September 2023 ruling by Hong Kong's highest court. This ruling partially supported a significant legal effort for the complete recognition of same-sex marriages.

While the Court of Final Appeal did not grant the constitutional right to same-sex marriage, the court did instruct the government to create a legal framework to address the fundamental social needs of same-sex couples within two years. The bill faced significant opposition from pro-Beijing legislators and religious groups who argued that gay marriage undermines family values and called for the bill's postponement.

This rejection marks the first time the Hong Kong legislature, restructured in 2021 to include only pro-Beijing figures, has vetoed a bill during its current term. The vote saw 71 lawmakers opposing the bill, while 14 supported it.

Advocacy groups expressed disappointment, stating that the decision sends a concerning message to both local and international communities, suggesting that court rulings might be disregarded and the dignity of individuals overlooked. The city's leader, John Lee, had previously stated the government's legal obligation to adhere to the court's ruling while also emphasizing that marriage in Hong Kong is defined as between one man and one woman.

Prior to the vote, Amnesty International and 30 gay rights groups in Asia had jointly urged the government to fully comply with the court's ruling by establishing a comprehensive legal framework that recognizes same-sex partnerships. The future course of action for the government in fulfilling its constitutional obligation to establish a legal framework for recognizing same-sex relationships remains uncertain. Some groups are urging the government to seek an extension of the deadline, which is set for October 27. The Hong Kong government has not yet provided a comment on the matter.