3 Jan 2019

Legal challenge to Hong Kong’s ban on same-sex marriage

In an important development in Hong Kong two gay men have challenged the law banning same-sex marriage and the application has been given permission to proceed. This is the first time that such a challenge has been made.

There have been previous legal challenges but these have related to spousal visas, taxation and the lack of civil partnerships. This is the first time the issue at the core of the minority rights movement – whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry – has come before Hong Kong’s courts.
A victory for the applicants would be the most progressive development for LGBT rights in the city. But on the other hand, some LGBT activists and legal experts fear that if the challenges are unsuccessful then potential advancements in smaller increments will be shut off.
To read more, click here! 

There have been previous legal challenges but these have related to spousal visas, taxation and the lack of civil partnerships. This is the first time the issue at the core of the minority rights movement – whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry – has come before Hong Kong’s courts.

A victory for the applicants would be the most progressive development for LGBT rights in the city. But on the other hand, some LGBT activists and legal experts fear that if the challenges are unsuccessful then potential advancements in smaller increments will be shut off.

To read more, click here! 

Hong Kong