Hong Kong MPs say no more rights for same -sex couples

The legislators in Hong Kong have rejected a controversial bill that would grant limited rights to same -sex couples in a blow to the city’s gay rights movement.

The law, which would recognize some rights to couples who were married abroad, opposes 71 of the 89-member legislative council (LEGCO).

The government was suggested to comply with A judgment of 2023After rejecting an attempt to legalize same -sex marriage.

While the city has been perceived in recent years as becoming gay, it has limited rights to approximately 6% of the adult population, which is identified as LGBTQ. Recent surveys suggest that there is increasing support for the community.

The Amnesty International Human Rights Group criticizes the rejection of the bill, saying it shows an “anxiety neglect” to LGBTQ’s rights and called on Hong Kong authorities to introduce a new and revised bill.

Hong Kong LGBTQ rights activist Jimmy Sham said it was “deep regret” that the bill had not passed and that the government’s inability to defend the rights of same -sex couples “would remain an open wound”.

He added that he believed that the government would not “close his eyes in the current illegal and non -constitutional situation.”

The bill stems from the long -standing legal challenge to legalize same -sex marriage, initiated by Sham, who wanted a formal recognition of his marriage to her husband. The couple married in New York in 2013.

The Hong Kong Supreme Court removed this in 2023, but in the case of partial victory for activists, the court of the final complaint said at a time that the Hong Kong government should formulate an alternative framework within two years to recognize unions between members of the same sex.

The judge said it was necessary because the lack of legal recognition could “violate and humiliate” the private life of same -sex couples “in ways that represent arbitrary intervention”.

This year’s bill was the experience of the Hong Kong government to fulfill this legal obligation.

He proposed a system for registration of same -sex couples who were married or had civil unions abroad and that these couples would have some rights – including the right to hospital visits and make medical decisions for a spouse.

The city’s chief executive John Lee supported this bill and called on Legco to accept it, warning that rejection would violate the rule of Hong Kong and lead to “serious consequences”.

However, the bill was also criticized by LGBTQ activists – who regarded it as insufficient to create an alternative framework – and by members of the Legco – who stated that the proposal was contrary to traditional family values ​​and paved the way to legalize same -sex marriage.

Rejection on Wednesday means that the government will have to return to the drawing board, with a little time to keep its final deadline on October 27.

It also marks a rare division between the legislature and the Hong Kong government. Both institutions work in political steps, especially since Beijing has tightened control of the city in recent years.

It is known that many in Legco are pro-be-from China adopted a law This only “Patriots” can be part of the legislature, while the CEO of the Hong Kong government is essentially elected by Beijing.

Polls suggest that there is increasing support for same -sex marriage to the public in Hong Kong. A study in 2023 found that 60% were for same -sex marriage, compared to 38% ago.

The same year, the territory hosted the gay games, marking the first time the competition was held in Asia.