Hong Kong criticised for rejecting bill giving 'bare minimum' rights to same-sex couplesLegislative council voted down a bill that was introduced to comply with an order from the city's top court
Link to Full ArticleThe Guardian - Helen Davidson
Thu 11 Sep 2025 02.16
Human rights groups have accused the Hong Kong government of failing to provide the "bare minimum" of rights to same-sex couples after it rejected a bill that was introduced to comply with an order by the city's top court.
The bill would have given limited rights to couples whose marriage or civil union was registered overseas. The landmark case, brought by activist Jimmy Sham, affirmed that the city's laws defined marriage as between a man and a woman, but also said the government was obliged to create an "alternative framework" which recognised the "core rights" of same-sex couples.
Advocacy group, Hong Kong Marriage Equality, said the veto sent "a troubling signal to both local and international communities – that court rulings may be disregarded and the dignity of individuals overlooked.
Amnesty International's Nadia Rahman said the bill was "flawed", and would have provided "the bare minimum of protection" only to couples who registered their relationship overseas, but its rejection showed "an alarming disdain for LGBTI rights".
"It is a setback which shows just how far Hong Kong has to go before everyone in the city can enjoy equal rights," said Rahman.----------------------------
Various comments from lawmakers and activists who oppose same-sex marriage:
"... it would affect the foundations of monogamous and heterosexual marriage in Hong Kong."
"subverting Hong Kong's marriage system between one man and one woman".
"... increasing the rights of same sex couples would cause confusion on Mother's Day and Fathers Day."
We have seen similar rhetoric here in the U.S. Instead of using their brains and thinking, they happily consume bigoted claims.
Extending rights to a small group of people in no way diminishes the rights of the majority. Rights do not get diluted by extending them to others.
When you use your candle to light the candle of someone else, you don't lose anything from your candle. Instead, the total amount of light doubles and everyone wins.
