Hong Kong lawmakers say no to more rights for same-sex couples

Hong Kong lawmakers rejected a controversial draft law that would give limited rights to couples of the same sex, in a blow to the LGBT movement in the city.

The law, which would have recognized some rights of husbands who were married abroad, was opposed by 71 of the 89 -member Legislative Council (Legco).

The government suggested compliance with Court ruling 2023After refusing to try to legalize marriage of the same sex.

While the city in recent years has been a gay friend, it has limited rights of an estimated 6 % of the adult population with LGBTQ. Modern opinion polls indicate increasing support towards society.

The Human Rights Group Amnesty International criticized the refusal of the bill, saying that it showed a “disturbing contempt” of LGBTQ rights, and urged Hong Kong authorities to submit a new and reference bill.

Jimmy Sham, a activist in the rights of Hong Kong LGBTQ, said that it is “very unfortunate” that the draft law has not passed and that the government’s inability to protect husbands’ rights of the same sex “will remain an open wound.”

He added that he believed that the government “will not” turn a blind eye to the current illegal and unconstitutional situation. “

The draft law arose from a long -term legal challenge to give legitimacy to the gay marriage that Sham started, who wanted to recognize the official marriage to his wife. The husband married in New York in 2013.

The Hong Kong Court of Appeal said in 2023, but in a partial victory for activists, the final appeal court said at a time when the Hong Kong government was forced to formulate an alternative framework within two years to identify unions between members of the same sex.

The judge said that it was necessary that the lack of legal recognition could “disrupt the illusion of” the private life of couples of the same sex “in ways that constitute an arbitrary intervention.”

This year’s bill was an attempt by the Hong Kong government to fulfill this legal commitment.

A registration system for couples of the same sex who were married or had civil unions abroad, and that these husbands will have some rights – including the right to hospital visits and make medical decisions to the husband.

John Lee, CEO of the city, supported this law and urged Legco to pass it.

However, the bill was criticized by both LGBTQ activists – who were considered insufficient to create an alternative framework – and by Legco members – who said that the proposal contradicts traditional family values ​​and paved the way to give legitimacy to gay marriage.

On Wednesday, he refused that the government would have to return to the drawing board, with a little time to face the deadline on October 27.

It was also distinguished by a rare division between the legislative body and the Hong Kong government. Both institutions are working in Lockstep, especially since Beijing has tightened control of the city in recent years.

It is known that many in Legco are supporters since China Law passed The “patriots” can only be part of the legislative body, while the CEO of the Hong Kong government was chosen mainly by Beijing.

Opinion polls indicate increasing support for marriage of the same sex among the public in Hong Kong. A survey in 2023 found that 60 % in favor of gay marriage, compared to 38 % a decade ago.

In the same year, the region hosted gay games, representing the first time that the competition was held in Asia.