Hong Kong Legislative Council Rejects Same-Sex Partnership Bill, Sparking Outcry

Mon Oct 20 2025 18:34:44 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant setback for LGBTQ rights in Hong Kong, lawmakers have rejected a bill designed to provide limited recognition to same-sex couples, despite rising public support for such measures.

The Hong Kong Legislative Council has rejected a government-sponsored bill that aimed to recognize limited rights for same-sex couples, leading to widespread criticism from activists and human rights organizations. The bill sought to comply with a court ruling mandating some form of recognition for same-sex unions but faced staunch opposition within the council. Many view the rejection as an alarming indication of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights in the territory.

Lawmakers in Hong Kong have rejected a controversial bill that would have granted limited rights to same-sex couples, a significant blow to the city's gay rights movement.

The law, which would have recognized some rights for couples who were married overseas, was opposed by 71 of the city's 89-member Legislative Council (LegCo).

It was proposed by the government to comply with a 2023 court ruling that followed the rejection of an attempt to legalize same-sex marriage.

While the city has made strides towards being seen as more gay-friendly in recent years, it still offers limited rights to the estimated 6% of the adult population identifying as LGBTQ. Recent polls indicate increasing public support for the community.

Human rights group Amnesty International criticized the rejection of the bill, expressing that it displayed an alarming disdain for LGBTQ rights and urged the Hong Kong authorities to draft a new and revised proposal.

LGBTQ rights activist Jimmy Sham deemed it deeply regrettable that the bill was not passed, asserting that the government’s failure to safeguard same-sex couples' rights would remain a festering issue.

The proposed bill arose from a prolonged legal challenge seeking to validate Sham's marriage to his husband, which took place in New York in 2013. The Hong Kong's top court dismissed this challenge in 2023 while emphasizing the necessity for the government to create an alternative framework to acknowledge same-sex unions.

The rejected bill aimed to establish a registration system for same-sex couples married or united in civil partnerships abroad, granting them rights such as hospital visits and making medical decisions for each other.

Although the city’s chief executive, John Lee, endorsed the bill and warned that rejection might violate the rule of law, it encountered fierce resistance from both LGBTQ activists and LegCo members who criticized it as too inadequate and against traditional family values.

The rejection of this bill now necessitates the government to return to the drawing board, facing a tight deadline of October 27 to propose a new plan. This situation also highlights a rare division between the Legislative Council and the Hong Kong government, which have commonly operated in harmony since Beijing tightened its control over the city.

Notably, polls reflect a rising acceptance of same-sex marriage in Hong Kong, with a 2023 survey revealing that 60% of the public supports it, up from 38% a decade prior. The territory successfully hosted the Gay Games this year, marking a significant milestone as the first time the global event took place in Asia.