Edith Hejberg
On September 11, 2025, Hong Kong’s legislature voted down a proposed bill to recognize overseas same-sex partnerships.
When Dino Wong and Geoffrey Yu flew 2,000 miles to Guam in 2019 to marry, it wasn’t a dream wedding. The $5,000 trip was a necessity, not a celebration, Hong Kong doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage.
Their vows were exchanged in a government hallway without family or friends. Back home, their union remains legally invisible, and now, hopes of change have taken a blow.
Marriage Equality Bill Rejected by Hong Kong Lawmakers
On September 11, 2025, Hong Kong’s legislature voted down a proposed bill to recognize overseas same-sex partnerships.
The bill would have granted limited rights, such as hospital visitation and next-of-kin status. Out of 90 lawmakers, 71 rejected it. Even with Chief Executive John Lee’s backing, the bill failed in a city that rarely defies government-supported legislation.
Beijing’s Influence and a Changed Political Climate
Hong Kong has long been more open-minded on LGBTQ+ issues than mainland China. But since Beijing’s “patriots-only” electoral overhaul in 2021, pro-democracy voices, often aligned with LGBTQ causes, have been pushed out of the legislature.
The vote against the partnerships bill reflects a new, more conservative political environment.
Rights Advocates Warn of Talent Drain
LGBTQ rights groups and business leaders say the rejection could harm Hong Kong’s reputation.
As global firms prioritize inclusivity, cities like Tokyo and Taipei are becoming more appealing to international talent. Experts warn Hong Kong risks losing its competitive edge if it continues to lag behind on equality.
Corporate Voices Call for Inclusivity — Quietly
Hong Kong is home to major multinationals like HSBC, which have previously championed LGBTQ inclusion. But since the national security law crackdown, corporate advocacy has grown quieter.
Still, organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce are pushing for marriage equality, saying it’s crucial to attracting global talent.
Legal Wins Through the Courts, Not Lawmakers
Over the years, Hong Kong’s LGBTQ community has won narrow victories, like spousal visas and public housing access, but only after expensive court battles.
Legislative progress remains slow. A 2019 report found more than 100 legal disadvantages faced by those in non-traditional relationships.
Court-Mandated Progress Faces Legislative Roadblock
The rejected bill was meant to satisfy a 2023 court ruling requiring the government to create a legal framework for same-sex unions by October 2024.
Jimmy Sham, the activist who brought the case, called the legislature’s failure “deeply regrettable” and warned it would leave an “open wound” for LGBTQ residents.
Rising Support Among the Public
Despite legislative resistance, public opinion is shifting. According to gender studies professor Suen Yiu-tung, support for same-sex marriage in Hong Kong has grown from 38% in 2013 to 60% in recent years.
Advocates believe the bill could have laid the groundwork for broader conversations about legal equality.
Lawmakers Defend ‘Traditional Values’
During the debate, many lawmakers framed the bill as a threat to family values. Pro-Beijing legislator Holden Chow warned it would “collapse moral values” and “spark further conflicts.”
The government has acknowledged the controversy and says it will consult with the Department of Justice before deciding on next steps.
“It’s Not What Hong Kong Claims to Be”
For Wong, the rejection underscores a painful contradiction. “It calls itself an international city… but it is not like that at all,” he said.
Still, he and others in the community plan to keep pushing, one court case at a time, even if rights only become clear when tragedy strikes.
This article is made and published by Edith Hejberg, which may have used AI in the preparation
