- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires surgery
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Legal, but banned for minors
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- Unknown
- Hate Crime Protections
- Unknown
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- Unknown
- Adoption
- Unknown
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- N/A
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (6-month deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- Ambiguous
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Public opinion in Hong Kong appears to be somewhat divided on LGBTQ+ issues, as evidenced by recent studies.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
Support for legislation to protect sexual minorities from discrimination
(Equal Opportunities Commission, 2016)
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Same-sex marriage in Hong Kong is banned.
Current status
Since 1970
Banned
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.
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.
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.
Right to change legal gender in Hong Kong is legal, but requires surgery.
Current status
Since Apr 3, 2024
Legal, but requires surgery
The government has announced the new policy of changing sex marker on HKID card, citing that surgery is still required in general. Applicant who have not undergoing full SRS surgery required to remove the penis and testes (for MTF) or completed bilateral mastectomy (for FTM), and required to provide medical diagonsis as long as hormonal treatment of the opposite sex throughout the period of at least two years continuously. Applicant will be required to undergo continuous hormonal treatment of the opposite sex and submit blood test report(s) as requested by the Commissioner for random checking of his or her hormonal profile.
Legal, no restrictions
The Court of Final Appeal ruled in favour of the two men and found the surgical requirement unconstitutional.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Hong Kong is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Hate crime protections in Hong Kong is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
LGBT discrimination in Hong Kong is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Illegal in some contexts
LGBT employment discrimination in Hong Kong is no protections.
Current status
Since Sep 18, 2018
No protections
There is currently is no legal prohibition of sexual orientation-based employment
discrimination in the private sector.
discrimination in the private sector.
LGBT housing discrimination in Hong Kong is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Intersex infant surgery in Hong Kong is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Serving openly in military in Hong Kong is n/a.
Current status
Since Jul 1, 1997
N/A
Since the British handover of Hong Kong to China, there has been no military force of Hong Kong with all defence activities being the responsibility of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.