💬 NEW! Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!

LGBT Rights in Hong Kong

    Homosexuality
    ✔ Legal
    Gay Marriage
    ✖ Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
    Censorship
    ✔ No censorship
    Changing Gender
    ✔ Legal, surgery not required
    Non-binary gender recognition
    Unknown
    Discrimination
    ✖ Illegal in some contexts
    Employment Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Housing Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Adoption
    Unknown
    Military
    N/A
    Donating Blood
    ✖ Banned (1-year deferral)
    Conversion Therapy
    Unknown
    Age of Consent
    ✔ Equal

Public opinion in Hong Kong appears to be somewhat divided on LGBTQ+ issues, as evidenced by recent studies.

Hong Kong Surveys

of people aged 18 to 24 support legislation to protect sexual minorities from discrimination
of religious people support legislation to protect sexual minorities from discrimination

History

Homosexual activity in Hong Kong

?

Homosexual activity in Hong Kong is legal.

Current status
Since 1991
Legal
Sources:
Carole J. Petersen, Values in Transition: The Development of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Movement in Hong Kong, 19 Loy. L.A. Int'l &
Comp. L. Rev. 337 (1997).
Available at: digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ilr/…
Added by jpmusicc  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex marriage in Hong Kong

?

Same-sex marriage in Hong Kong is foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.

Current status
Since Sep 5, 2023
Civil unions
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:
www.france24.com
Added by l_hrz  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log
Current status
Since 2017
Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Same sex marriage registered outside of Hong Kong is recognized for immigration purposes.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Until 2017
Unrecognized
Same-sex marriage was not recognized.
Added by jpmusicc  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Hong Kong

?

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Hong Kong is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Hong Kong, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Added by equaldex  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Hong Kong

?

Right to change legal gender in Hong Kong is legal, surgery not required.

Current status
Since Feb 6, 2023
Legal, surgery not required
The Court of Final Appeal ruled in favour of the two men and found the surgical requirement unconstitutional.
Added by Markissik  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

May 13, 2013–Feb 6, 2023
Legal, but requires surgery
Hong Kong Supreme Court ruled that post-operative transsexuals could change their legal gender for purposes including marriage.
Added by bradcoffey106  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Hong Kong

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Hong Kong is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

LGBT discrimination in Hong Kong

?

LGBT discrimination in Hong Kong is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Illegal in some contexts

LGBT employment discrimination in Hong Kong

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Hong Kong is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There is currently is no legal prohibition of sexual orientation-based employment
discrimination in the private sector.
Added by jpmusicc  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Jan 1, 2017–Sep 18, 2018
Ambiguous
Only in Government Positions. under Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance 1991 it is interpreted to include sexual orientation.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Hong Kong

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Hong Kong is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Full discrimination protections pending.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Hong Kong

?

Same-sex adoption in Hong Kong is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Hong Kong

?

Serving openly in military in Hong Kong is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Hong Kong does not have its own military force.
Added by jpmusicc  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Hong Kong

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Hong Kong is banned (1-year deferral).

Current status
Since Sep 25, 2017
Banned (1-year deferral)
Only banned is gay men. Full legalization pending.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Hong Kong

?

Conversion therapy in Hong Kong is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Equal age of consent in Hong Kong

?

Equal age of consent in Hong Kong is equal.

Current status
Since 2006
Equal
Added by jpmusicc  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log