In Hong Kong, lawmakers rejected a bill that would have granted limited rights to same-sex couples, particularly to those who were married overseas where LGBTQIA+ marriage equality is legal.
As FYI: this bill was proposed by the government in compliance with a 2023 court ruling. At that time, LGBTQIA+ human rights activist Jimmy Sham initiated a legal challenge for his 2013 marriage to his husband to be recognized. Hong Kong’s top court denied this in 2023, but the Court of Final Appeal said at the time that the Hong Kong government had to formulate an alternative framework within two years to recognize unions between members of the same sex.
This year’s bill was an attempt by the Hong Kong government to fulfil this legal obligation.
But now by voting 71:89, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo) basically rejected:
- The proposed registration system for same-sex couples who were married or had civil unions overseas, and
- Granting these couples have some rights, including hospital visits and making medical decisions for a spouse.
Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee actually backed this bill, even urging LegCo to pass it.
Since the court’s ruling still stands, Hong Kong’s government now has to come up with another proposed legislation, chasing a 27 October deadline.
