Hong Kong lawmakers veto bill on same-sex partnerships

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s Legislative Council on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have allowed limited legal rights for same-sex couples who had registered their marriage or relationship overseas, drawing criticism from gay rights groups

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s Legislative Council on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have allowed limited legal rights for same-sex couples who had registered their marriage or relationship overseas, drawing criticism from gay rights groups.

The bill, introduced by the government, had proposed a registration system to grant same-sex couples who had already sealed their union overseas to certain rights such as hospital visitation.

The government made the proposal after a judgment by Hong Kong’s highest court in September 2023 that partially approved a landmark legal push for full recognition of same-sex marriages.

Although the Court of Final Appeal didn’t grant the constitutional right to same-sex marriage, the five judges ordered the government to develop a legal framework to meet basic social needs of same sex couples within two years.

The bill had faced strong opposition from some pro-Beijing legislators and religious groups who say gay marriage erodes family values, and have demanded a postponement.