Current Version
| Region | Hong Kong |
| Issue | Same-sex marriage |
| Status | Banned |
| Start Date | 1970 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | In 1970, Hong Kong adopted the Marriage Reform Ordinance, which explicitly requires marriage to be between one man and one woman. In September 2023, the Court of Final Appeal ruled that the government is required to adopt legislation granting same-sex couples alternative legal rights comparable to marriage. The government has until October 27, 2025, to implement appropriate legislation. In the same decision, the CFA found that Hong Kong’s lack of recognition of same-sex marriages performed either domestically or abroad was not in violation of the right to equality in the constitution. |
| Sources | https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/asian-journal-of-comparative-law/article/competing-family-law-norms-challenging-hong-kong-laws-conceptualization-of-the-ideal-family/891F581AA94B246AE2D0EB4280FDA487 https://www.hugillandip.com/2023/09/opening-the-way-to-the-recognition-of-same-sex-partnerships/ https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3319880/hong-kong-lawmakers-finish-scrutinising-same-sex-couples-bill-clauses-2-days |
Revision History (2)
edited by Unknownmiles. Fixing info, adding new links, and fixing date
Helpful?
0 | Old Value (Original) | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Civil unions (marriage rights) | Banned |
| Start Date | Sep 5, 2023 | 1970 |
| Description | Hong Kong’s highest court ruled on 5 September in favour of same-sex civil unions but did not grant them the right to marry. The Final Court of Appeal ruled that the government is "violating its obligation (...) to legally recognize same-sex couples", according to the ruling, which nevertheless rejects "unanimously the appeal" regarding the recognition of their marriage. This ruling was eagerly awaited by the LGBT+ community of the former British colony which, for a decade, has won important victories before the courts, including the annulment of discriminatory government policies on visas, taxes and housing subsidies. | In 1970, Hong Kong adopted the Marriage Reform Ordinance, which explicitly requires marriage to be between one man and one woman. In September 2023, the Court of Final Appeal ruled that the government is required to adopt legislation granting same-sex couples alternative legal rights comparable to marriage. The government has until October 27, 2025, to implement appropriate legislation. In the same decision, the CFA found that Hong Kong’s lack of recognition of same-sex marriages performed either domestically or abroad was not in violation of the right to equality in the constitution. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://www.france24.com | https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/asian-journal-of-comparative-law/article/competing-family-law-norms-challenging-hong-kong-laws-conceptualization-of-the-ideal-family/891F581AA94B246AE2D0EB4280FDA487 https://www.hugillandip.com/2023/09/opening-the-way-to-the-recognition-of-same-sex-partnerships/ https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3319880/hong-kong-lawmakers-finish-scrutinising-same-sex-couples-bill-clauses-2-days |
Show Difference | ||
| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Civil unions (marriage rights) |
| Start Date | Sep 5, 2023 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | Hong Kong’s highest court ruled on 5 September in favour of same-sex civil unions but did not grant them the right to marry. The Final Court of Appeal ruled that the government is "violating its obligation (...) to legally recognize same-sex couples", according to the ruling, which nevertheless rejects "unanimously the appeal" regarding the recognition of their marriage. This ruling was eagerly awaited by the LGBT+ community of the former British colony which, for a decade, has won important victories before the courts, including the annulment of discriminatory government policies on visas, taxes and housing subsidies. |
| Sources | https://www.france24.com |