Hong Kong’s Partial Recognition of Same-Sex Couples: A Cautious Step Toward Equality
Limited Progress Through Strategic Legislation
In a rare but cautious advancement for LGBTQ+ rights in Hong Kong, the government has introduced a new bill aimed at granting limited legal protections to same-sex couples married overseas. Although the proposal falls significantly short of full recognition or equality, rights advocates are viewing it as a small yet crucial step toward broader legal inclusion in a city that continues to define marriage strictly as a union between a man and a woman.
Following a 2023 ruling by the city’s highest courtâwhich confirmed the traditional definition of marriage while mandating the creation of an alternative legal frameworkâthe government now faces a deadline of October 2025 to implement the courtâs directive. In response, officials unveiled a bill in July that provides a narrow set of rights, including hospital visitation and the ability to claim a deceased partnerâs body. These rights are exclusively available to same-sex couples who are legally married outside of Hong Kong. Notably, the bill does not offer rights such as local marriage registration, joint adoption, or prison visitation. The legislation is scheduled for review after the summer recess.
Hope Meets Frustration Within the LGBTQ+ Community
Despite its limitations, some members of the LGBTQ+ community see the bill as an opportunity for incremental change. Holok Chen, a non-binary artist and activist, expressed mixed feelings to AFP, stating, “Either we accept a discriminatory proposal (…) or we risk getting nothing at all.” Ray Yeung, director of the 2024 film All Will Be Wellâwhich portrays the bureaucratic struggles faced by LGBTQ+ couplesâadded, “If your partner is sick or dying, this law could helpâat least to some extent.”
Yet frustration over the proposal remains strong. Yan Ng, co-founder of the advocacy group Dear Family Hong Kong, criticized the bill as a mere âhalf-measure,â emphasizing the communityâs call for “a more inclusive system.” Public support among lawmakers also appears limitedâonly 12 have openly backed the proposal, according to Ming Pao. Legal expert Kelley Loper from the University of Denver warned that the billâs narrow scope may lead to constitutional challenges, citing potential inequality in the omission of basic rights.
Activism Under Tightened Political Control
Recent surveys indicate growing public support for same-sex marriage, with 60% of Hong Kong residents in favor. Still, visible activism around the bill remains muted. Sean Hau, another co-founder of Dear Family Hong Kong, pointed to a dramatically reduced civic space: “We probably couldnât do that kind of protest anymore,” he said, reflecting on the absence of events like pride marches since the 2019 pro-democracy protests.
Amid tightened restrictions and increased surveillance, LGBTQ+ advocacy has had to evolve. Public demonstrations have been replaced by quieter efforts, such as online campaigns, formal appeals to officials, and digital outreach targeting younger generations, often led by groups like HKSpectrum. However, the billâs limited scopeâprimarily focusing on medical and posthumous rightsâhasnât ignited widespread enthusiasm among young people online.