Hong Kong: Court upholds ban on same-sex Civil Partnerships after lesbian throws judicial challenge

On Friday, a Hong Kong Court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage and civil union partnerships after a lesbian-identified as ‘MK’ launched the city’s first judicial challenge on the issue, stating it violated her constitutional rights.

Rights Group Amnesty International described the judgement as a “bitter blow” for LGBT+ people in Hong Kong.

“Sadly, the discriminatory treatment of same-sex couples will continue for the time being,” Amnesty said in a statement.

The Court of First Instance ruled that the Government was not obliged to provide an alternative legal framework such as civil unions, giving same-sex couples equal rights and benefits enjoyed by opposite-sex married couples.

The Court said that, while there are diverse and opposing views in society, it expressed “no view on the associated social, moral and/or religious issues” and that it had adopted a strictly legal approach to the matter.

Homosexuality has been decriminalized since 1991 in Hong Kong, a former British Colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The city has an annual pride parade and a lively gay scene.

It doesn't, however, recognize same-sex marriage and LGBT+ activists voice concerns about widespread discrimination.

Hong Kong’s Top Court in June ruled in favor of a gay Civil Servant fighting for spousal and tax benefits for his husband.

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