Hong Kong legislators say “no” more rights for same -sex couples

The legislators in Hong Kong rejected a controversial bill that would give limited rights to same -sex couples, as a result of a stroke on the city’s gay rights movement.

The law, which would recognize some rights to the couples who married abroad, opposed the 71-year member of the City Council (LEGCO).

The government was proposed to comply with the requirements A court ruling 2023After refusing to legalize same -sex marriage.

While the city has been perceived as a gay tuple in recent years, it has limited rights to approximately 6% of an adult population belonging to LGBTK. Recent polls believe that support is increasing in society.

Amnesty International Human Rights Group criticized the bill’s refusal, saying it showed an “disturbing contempt” for LGBTC’s rights and urged Hong Kong’s authorities to bring a new and revised bill.

The Hong Kong LGBTQ activist Jimi Sham said he was “deeply regretted” that the bill was not passed and that the government’s inability to defend the rights of same -sex couples “will remain an open wound.”

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

The bill was linked to a long legal task for legalization of same -sex marriage initiated by Sham, which wanted the official recognition of his marriage to her husband. The couple married New York in 2013.

The Hong Kong Supreme Court reduced this in 2023, but a partial victory for the activists, at a time when the Hong Kong government had to formulate an alternative basis for two years to recognize trade unions between members of the same sex.

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

This year, the bill was an attempt by the Hong Kong government to fulfill this legal obligation.

He offered a registration system for same -sex couples who were married or abroad by civilian unions, and that these couples would have some rights – including the right to visit the hospital and make medical decisions for spouses.

City leader John Lee supported this bill and urged Legco to take it, warning that the deviation would violate Hong Kong’s rule and would lead to “serious consequences”.

But the bill was criticized by both LGBTC activists – who considered it as insufficient to create an alternative basis – and members of the LEGCO – who stated that the proposal went against traditional family values ​​and paved the way to legalization of same -sex marriage.

Refusal on Wednesday means that the government will have to return to the drawing board, little time to fulfill its October 27.

This also noted the rare split between the legislative body and the Hong Kong government. Both institutions work on a political step, especially since Beijing has strengthened control over the city in recent years.

As is known accepted the law Only the “patriots” can be part of the legislative body, while the Hong Kong Government Executive Council is essentially picked up in the hand.

Polls suggest that supporting same -sex marriage is increasing among the Hong Kong public. The poll in 2023 showed that 60% advocated same -sex marriage, compared to 38% ten years ago.

In the same year, gay games were held in the territory, noting for the first time when competitions were held in Asia.