Star Metro - Hong Kong legislature to vote on same-sex partnerships bill

Hong Kong's government proposed legislation this summer to recognise some rights for same-sex partners, but only for those whose unions are registered abroad.

Despite LGBTQ activists decrying its limitations, the proposal drew near-universal criticism from the pro-Beijing politicians that dominate Hong Kong's legislature.

Only around a dozen lawmakers within the 89-member council have publicly declared their support so far.

"While branding itself as a free, open... world city that attracts global talent, the Hong Kong government has not only failed to keep pace with the regional trend toward equality... it has also proposed a Bill that falls significantly short of international human rights standards," rights group Amnesty International said in a Tuesday statement that nevertheless urged lawmakers to adopt it.

The city's top court ordered the government to create an "alternative framework" for LGBTQ couples when it quashed a bid to recognise same-sex marriage in 2023.

Officials have stressed marriages in Hong Kong will remain between a man and a woman, but in July proposed a registration system for same-sex couples whose partnership is legally recognised abroad.

Registered couples will enjoy more rights in medical-related matters and after-death arrangements -- for example, visiting a partner in hospital or claiming their body after death.

"For same-sex couples like my partner and me, (the bill) offers a much-needed layer of legal recognition and protection," read a letter addressed to legislators, one of more than 10,000 gathered in July.

In another, a writer named Gallam Zhang asked lawmakers to widen the proposal to those not able to go overseas.

"Because of my physical condition, I cannot afford travelling and living abroad for a long period of time," Zhang wrote.

- 'Stable and harmonious' -

The current batch of Hong Kong lawmakers has never shot down a government bill.

But in a rare rift, the proposal has been condemned by the city's top three pro-establishment parties, who say it defies traditional family values.

Same-sex marriage is not legal in China and social stigma is widespread.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China with its own legislature and a mini-constitution that guarantees a "high degree of autonomy".

However, the city's once vibrant political opposition and civil society has been effectively silenced since Beijing introduced a sweeping national security law in 2020.

In July, an annual carnival promoting LGBTQ rights was cancelled after organisers were denied a venue "without explanation".

Authorities gave the public seven days to write in with their views on Wednesday's bill, which coincided with a period of line-by-line vetting done by a small committee of lawmakers.

Of the 10,800 submissions received, 80 percent were against, according to the government.

However, advocacy group Hong Kong Marriage Equality said around half the opposing submissions used templates that indicate "strong mobilisation by specific groups".

"(The government) must not allow people with ulterior motives to wield slogans of equality to threaten Hong Kong's stable and harmonious society," read one.

The government's findings contrast with a 2023 survey carried out jointly by three universities that found 60 percent of those polled in the city supported same-sex marriage.

A joint letter issued Monday and signed by 30 Asian LGBTQ rights groups called on the government to "publicly disclose a contingency plan" and introduce a revised proposal if the bill is vetoed.

K.Evans--SMC