Misplaced Pages

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Chinese. (March 2023) Click for important translation instructions. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Misplaced Pages. Consider adding a topic to this template: there are already 342 articles in the main category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Chinese Misplaced Pages article at ]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template {{Translated|zh|香港LGBT權益}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Misplaced Pages:Translation. This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (March 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

LGBTQ rights in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Status	Female homosexuality: Always legal Male homosexuality: Legal since 1991 Age of consent equalized in 2006
Gender identity	Change of gender marker recognised without full sex reassignment surgery (yet to be implemented), though legal gender is not altered
Military	Unknown (China is responsible for defence)
Discrimination protections	The Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Cap. 383) protects individuals against sexual orientation discrimination from the Government and public authorities of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Family rights
Recognition of relationships	None; though marriages and civil partnerships of same-sex couples are recognised for the purpose of issuing a dependant visa, and for the purpose of spousal benefits; the government was ordered by the court to establish legal framework no later than Sep 2025
Adoption	Stepchild adoption since 2021

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in Hong Kong (a special administrative region of China) may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents.

History

After the 1967 decriminalisation of homosexuality in the United Kingdom, there were moves to undertake a similar reform in Hong Kong. Governor Murray MacLehose privately supported gay rights but he and others felt that the local community would not support decriminalisation.

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

As a British colony, Hong Kong's criminal laws against male homosexual acts were initially a reflection of British law, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. During the 1970s and 1980s, there was a public debate about whether or not to reform the law in line with human rights principles. As a result, in 1991 the Legislative Council agreed to decriminalise private, adult, non-commercial, and consensual homosexual relations.

However, an unequal age of consent was established (21 for gay men and 16 for heterosexuals) with the law remaining silent about lesbianism. LGBT rights groups lobbied the Legislative Council to equalise the age of consent law, but were told by conservative lawmakers that the legal inequality was necessary to protect youth and preserve tradition. A lawsuit was initiated to challenge the unequal age of consent in court.

In 2005, Justice Hartmann found that the unequal age of consent was unconstitutional under the Bill of Rights Ordinance, violating the right to equality. The ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal, but the provisions were not formally removed from the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) until 2014.

On 30 May 2019, in the Yeung Chu Wing v Secretary for Justice case, the High Court ruled in favour of Yeung Chu-wing, an LGBT activist who brought the lawsuit against the government in 2017, and struck down four further provisions under the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) imposing higher penalties for offences committed by homosexual men. Three further provisions were remedially interpreted such that they would no longer discriminate against homosexuals. It abolished the crimes of "procuring others to commit homosexual buggery" and "gross indecency with or by a man under 16". He also overturned "gross indecency by a man with a man otherwise than in private" and "procuring gross indecency by a man with a man". The three offences that now apply to both genders are "homosexual buggery with or by a man under 16", "gross indecency by a man with a male mentally incapacitated person", and "permitting a young person to resort to or be on a premises or vessel for intercourse, prostitution, buggery or homosexual acts". This comes after 20 years of activism to change these law, in which the government either refused or delayed, the secretary for justice during the trial, however, conceded to nearly all the changes, and agreed that these laws targeting gay men are incompatible with the Basic Law.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Same-sex marriage or civil unions are not recognised in Hong Kong.

Nonetheless, in June 2009, the Hong Kong Government extended limited recognition and protection to cohabitating same-sex couples under the Domestic Violence Ordinance.

In 2013, Hong Kong's High Court ruled that a transgender woman can marry her boyfriend and told the government that they had one year to draft a law that allows for post-operation transsexual or transgender individuals to marry. In spring of 2014, it was announced that though the law had not been finished, transgender citizens could start marrying in July. Some rights activists have expressed their discontent with the provision that a person must have undergone complete gender reassignment surgery to receive a marriage license. On 17 July 2014, it was announced that transgender citizens could marry and that the law will be finished after the summer recess. Some have stated that the delay of the final draft was a positive thing since the subsequent law has "lots of holes and ambiguity".

In July 2018, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam said that the Hong Kong government has no plans to amend the law and approve same-sex marriage in near future following a landmark ruling in favour of a same-sex couple's dependant visa application, and said though the government respected the court's ruling, the case was not a challenge to Hong Kong's Marriage Ordinance and concerned only the city's immigration policy. In March 2019, she reiterated her position saying that the government was no closer to legalizing same-sex marriage, saying the issue was still "controversial"، but indicated that a recent court ruling in immigration arrangements for same-sex couples who married abroad "does help" to bring overseas talent to the city.

In May 2019, the Equal Opportunities Commission chairman Ricky Chu Man-kin expressed preference for a step-by-step approach, starting with anti-discrimination initiatives, and said he would not push for a legislative timetable on same-sex marriage from the government, but urged the community to "change tack" in favour of a pragmatic step-by-step approach to break the "eternal stalemate" in the city's fight for LGBT rights. He said "Instead of focusing on abstract and ideological debates that we can never easily come to an agreement on, let’s make small progress in tackling discrimination at the workplace, schools and public facilities".

In September 2023, By a 3–2 decision, the court directed the government to establish an alternative framework for the legal recognition of same-sex relationships, with equivalent rights and obligations to marriage, within two years of the ruling. However, the court also ruled that same-sex couples do not have a constitutionally guaranteed right to marry.

Spousal visas

A British woman (referred to as QT) sued the Immigration Department after it declined to recognise her UK civil partnership and refused to grant her a dependant visa. In February 2015, a judge agreed that the plaintiff had been discriminated against and moved the case forward to the Hong Kong High Court. The court heard the case on 14 May 2015. After prolonged deliberation, it dismissed the case in March 2016. The woman appealed to the Court of Appeal, which agreed to hear the case on 15 and 16 June 2017. The appeal was led by prominent human rights barrister Dinah Rose QC.

On 25 September 2017, the Court of Appeal reversed the High Court's dismissal and ruled in favour of the woman, finding that her partner (who works in the city) should be granted a spousal visa. While the legal definition of marriage was not challenged in the appeal, chief judge Andrew Cheung wrote that "times have changed and an increasing number of people are no longer prepared to accept the status quo without critical thought". His Lordship added that the immigration department failed to justify the "indirect discrimination on account of sexual orientation that QT suffers" and that "excluding a foreign worker’s lawfully married (albeit same-sex) spouse or civil partner ... to join the worker is, quite obviously, counter-productive to attracting the worker to come to or remain in Hong Kong". The court ordered the woman and the Department of Immigration to work together on an agreement and submit it to the court within 28 days.

The Immigration Department appealed the ruling to the Court of Final Appeal. The court handed down its ruling on 4 July 2018, finding in favour of the plaintiff and mandating immigration authorities to grant same-sex partners spousal visas that were previously only available only to heterosexual couples. The panel of judges, led by Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, held that the "policy is counterproductive and plainly not rationally connected to advancing 'talent' aim" and rejected the immigration director's argument that civil union partnerships differed from marriage, saying it was based on a "shaky foundation ...hardly satisfactory". The government stated it respected the court's ruling and would study it in detail. The ruling became effective on 19 September 2018, when the Director of Immigration announced that it will favourably consider an application from a person who has entered into "a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, same-sex marriage, or opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union outside Hong Kong" for entry for residence as a dependant, if the person meets the normal immigration requirements.

Taxation and spousal benefits

In 2014, Hong Kong immigration officer Angus Leung Chun-kwong married his same-sex partner, Scott Adams, in New Zealand. After the wedding, Leung attempted to update his marital status with the Civil Service Bureau, which states that officers' benefits can extend to their spouses. The Bureau, however, rejected Leung's attempts to extend these benefits to Adams, prompting a legal challenge. On 28 April 2017, the Hong Kong High Court ruled in Leung's favour. In his landmark ruling, Mr Justice Anderson Chow Ka-ming called the Bureau's policy "indirect discrimination" and rejected its claim that it had "to act in line with the prevailing marriage law of Hong Kong" and that extending benefits to Leung's spouse would "undermine the integrity of the institution of marriage". The ruling was supposed to take effect on 1 September 2017 and would have offered the same-sex partners of government employees who married overseas the same benefits as heterosexual couples. In May, however, the Hong Kong Government appealed the ruling. The Court of Appeal began examining the case in December 2017, and ruled against the couple on 1 June 2018. The Court of Appeal ruled that there is "legitimate aim" to protect opposite-sex marriage, arguing that only straight couples should enjoy the "freedom of marriage" and that same-sex couples should have no marital rights whatsoever. The Court also stated that Leung and Adams could not pay taxes as a couple. The couple appealed the decision to the Court of Final Appeal. The appeal was heard on 7 May 2019. On 6 June 2019, the Court of Final Appeal reversed the ruling of the Court of Appeal, holding that both the Civil Service Bureau and the Inland Revenue Department had unlawfully discriminated against the couple. The ruling became effective on 19 September 2018, when the Hong Kong government has amended its rule book to allow same-sex couples to file joint tax returns, a spokeswoman for the Inland Revenue Department confirmed the change, and said same-sex married couples could now submit joint tax assessment through the electronic filing system or in paper form. LGBT activists hailed the change for same-sex married couples but said it should also be extended to those in same-sex civil partnerships.

Legal challenges

In January 2019 the Hong Kong High Court agreed to hear two challenges to the city's refusal to recognise same-sex marriage. The two separate legal challenges were mounted by a 21-year-old University of Hong Kong student, known as TF, and a 31-year-old activist, known as STK, who argued that the inability of same-sex couples to get married violated their right to equality under the city's Bill of Rights and the Basic Law. The judge in the case gave the applications license to be heard by the court, though suspended them to first hear another case involving a 29-year-old lesbian, who is seeking for a civil union partnership system to be implemented in Hong Kong.

Civil Partnership and Same Sex Marriage and British Nationals (Overseas)

Neither same sex marriage nor civil partnerships registered inside or outside Hong Kong are recognised by the Law of Hong Kong. However, many Hong Kong residents are also a British National (Overseas). By virtue of the passage of Civil Partnership (Registration Abroad and Certificates) Order 2005 in the UK, all British nationals, including British Nationals (Overseas), are allowed to register civil partnerships with a limited number of British consulates or embassies abroad. Thus, LGBT Hong Kong couples, where one of the couple hold British national status, enjoy the right to register civil partnerships with British consulates in 22 countries.

Arranging a civil partnership registration with a British consulate generally takes at least a month and must be done in person in the country where the consulate is located. Those whose British National (Overseas) passports have expired or who no longer hold a valid passport need to apply for a renewal before arranging a civil partnership registration with a British consulate.

The British Consulate-General in Hong Kong refrains from providing such a service to British nationals because UK law requires the Hong Kong government's objection to them to be respected. Thus, British nationals are able to apply for a same-sex civil partnership ceremony with British consulates or embassies in the following 22 countries.

Civil partnerships court case

In June 2018, arguing that her right to privacy and equality had been violated, amounting to a breach of the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance, a Hong Kong lesbian woman known as "MK" sued the Hong Kong Government for denying her the right to enter into a civil partnership with her female partner. The High Court heard the case in a preliminary brief 30-minute chambers hearing in August 2018. In April 2019, a judge rejected a bid by the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong and other conservative groups to join litigation and ruled that the court can not arbitrate on social or theological issues and works only on legal considerations, as the counsel for the Catholic Diocese claimed that the outcome of the court case could lead to 'reverse discrimination' and create a chilling effect on the church.

The case was heard on 28 and 29 May 2019. During the hearings, Stewart Wong, a government lawyer, defended the existing law, saying: "Not all differences in treatment are unlawful. You are not supposed to treat unequal cases alike. To recognise an alternative form of same-sex relationships which we say is tantamount to is to undermine the traditional institution of marriage and the family constituted by such a marriage". Arguing that civil union partnerships carry the same legal rights as a marriage, but generally do not include the ceremony and exchanges of wedding vows. That made marriage and civil unions effectively identical "in substance", the government lawyer said, explaining why the government had objected to both for same-sex couples.

In October 2019, the Court of First Instance ruled against MK, upholding the existing marriage law and continuing to deny civil partnerships to same-sex couples. Judge Anderson Chow wrote, "The evidence before the court is not, in my view, sufficiently strong or compelling to demonstrate that the changing or contemporary social needs and circumstances in Hong Kong are such as would require the word ‘marriage’ in Basic Law Article 37 to be read as including a marriage between two persons of the same sex," and that the government had no legal obligation to provide substitute arrangements to same-sex couples, such as civil unions or civil partnerships. He added that "Whether there should, or should not, be a legal framework for the recognition of same-sex relationships is quintessentially a matter for legislation," meaning that the issue was more suited for the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.

Civil unions legislative motion

In November 2018, openly gay legislator Raymond Chan Chi-chuen proposed a motion to study civil unions for same-sex couples, but this was voted down by 27 to 24.

Public housing

On 4 March 2020, the Hong Kong government's policy of denying legally married same-sex couples the right to apply for public housing was declared unlawful and unconstitutional by the High Court.

On 26 November 2024, the Court of Final Appeal ruled that foreign unionized same-sex couples had to be treated equally under the Public Rental Housing Scheme and the Home Ownership Scheme, granting them equal housing rights.

Adoption and parenting

Since 2021, Step-child adoption has been affirmed for same-sex couples by a case from the Court Of First Instance in AA v BB (also known as S v KG) which granted a lesbian couple guardianship rights over their two children following a separation of the couple. The case has established a judicial mechanism for couples to obtain equal parental rights. The court ruled that following the breakdown of the relationship the non-biological mother should be granted joint custody, shared care and guardianship rights of her children, despite not being legally recognized as the children's mother. Under Cap. 13 Guardianship of Minors Ordinance, the legislation allows the jurisdiction of the Court Of First Instance full control over appointing or removing guardians.

Discrimination protections

The Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Chinese: 香港人權法案條例; pinyin: Xiānggǎng Rénquán Fǎ'àn Tiáolì) was utilized to struck down discrimination in the age of consent in the case of Leung TC William Roy v. Secretary for Justice (2005). However this does not protect against governmental discrimination in services and goods. Since the 1990s LGBT rights groups have lobbied the Legislative Council to enact civil rights laws that include sexual orientation, but without success.

In 1993, former legislator Anna Wu proposed an Equal Opportunities Bill through a private member's bill to outlaw discrimination on a variety of grounds, including sex, disability, age, race, and sexuality. Her effort didn't yield any result until 1995 when equal opportunities law was enacted. However, sexuality was not included in the passage of the bill.

Political opposition tends to come from social conservatives, often with evangelical Christian ties, who view homosexuality and cross-dressing as signs of immorality. For example, after the court ruled against the unequal age of consent, former Chief Executive of Hong Kong Donald Tsang, a devout Catholic, publicly opposed the court's decision and fought for an appeal until 2006. However, most political parties and individual politicians have tended to avoid making public statements in favour of LGBT rights, although this has slowly begun to change.

In 2010, Legislator Fernando Cheung, and former legislators Cyd Ho Sau-lan, Lo Wing-lok, and Reverend Fung Chi Wood, participated in public demonstration against homophobia.

As of 2019, there are no laws against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in Hong Kong.

In 2016, efforts by the Equal Opportunities Commission to prompt the government to enact anti-discrimination legislation based on sexual orientation and gender identity failed. The commission made a proposal to the administration following a survey the same year, which found 55.7% of people in Hong Kong backed such protections.

In June 2019, Ricky Chu Man-kin, head of the Equal Opportunities Commission says he intends to add anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity to existing laws. He said his approach would involve inserting protections into existing laws rather than advocating for one overarching legislation, as in the past. He plans draft laws and fine-tune them after hearing the views of opposing parties before submitting them to the government.

Gender identity and expression

Cross-dressing per se is not illegal. Hong Kong law allows the change of legal documents such as the identity card, and passport, but does not allow the birth certificate to be changed. Such change has historically required sex reassignment surgery which includes the removal of reproductive organs, effectively rendering the person sterile in exchange for legal recognition of gender identity.

On 3 April, 2024, The Hong Kong government announced a policy revision, effective immediately, allowing individuals who have undergone specific gender-affirming surgeries (mastectomy for trans men; penectomy and orchiectomy for trans women), but not the full set of gender reassignment procedures (such as vaginoplasty or phalloplasty), to apply for a gender marker change on their Hong Kong ID card. Applicants must meet criteria such as providing medical proof, living as their identified gender for at least two years, and undergoing continuous hormone therapy.

The previously policy of requiring full sex reassignment was declared unconstitutional in February 2023 in Tse v Commissioner of Registration [zh], in which the Court of Final Appeal found such requirement violated transgender persons' right to privacy under Article 14 of the Bill of Rights. The government's new policy was published in response to the apex court decision.

On 13 May 2013, the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong ruled that a transsexual woman has the right to marry her boyfriend in her affirmed gender, establishing heterosexual marriage right for transgender people.

On 16 September 2013 Eliana Rubashkyn was discriminated against and sexually abused by Hong Kong airport customs officers, forcing international organisations like the United Nations and Hong Kong NGOs to provide assistance as a refugee becoming a stateless person, she endured an invasive body search for more than nine hours.

In 2019, three transgender people who identify as male lost their legal bid to be recognised as such on their Hong Kong identity cards. While expressing sympathy, High Court judge Mr Justice Thomas Au Hing-cheung ruled against the three applicants, Henry Tse, Q and R, who have all been legally recognised as men by the British government but are unable to get their gender changed on Hong Kong ID cards. The judge said that a complete sex change would be the only "workable way" for the local government to determine a person's gender. Although the trio, all born female, identify as men, and have had their breasts removed and undergone hormone therapy, they all still have their uterus and ovaries – which was the point of contention in their legal challenges against the city's commissioner of registration. The applicants appealed the decision.

In February 2023, the Court of Final Appeal ruled in favour of the applicants, that the government's surgery requirements were unconstitutional and unacceptably burdensome. The ruling was implemented in April 2024, although select surgical treatment to modify sex characteristics is still required for a change in ID marker, as well as hormonal blood tests.

LGBT rights movement in Hong Kong

In the early 1990s, the first two LGBT rights groups, HORIZONS and the Ten Percent Club, were established. Today, several organisations, most notably Rainbow Action and Tongzhi Culture Society exist to campaign for LGBT rights and to organise various public educational and social events.

The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau established The Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Unit in 2005, to enhance the equal opportunities for people of different sexual orientations, and transgender people.

As of August 2012, The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau have been sponsoring a series of Public Service Announcement broadcasts through about the need for equal treatment when employing anyone who is LGBT.

Living conditions

Along with several gay nightclubs, LGBT pride festivals occur annually, as well as other social events including the Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. On each International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), a procession is held through the street of Hong Kong to show solidarity. The first IDAHO procession was held in 2005. Political involvement has also become more common in recent years. Several prominent legislators have attended the IDAHO procession and gay pride to show solidarity with the LGBT community.

As the government cannot discriminate against LGBT persons, as stipulated in the Bills of Rights, LGBT people may not legally be hindered in their access to services provided by the Hong Kong government. For example, when applying for non-contribution base Job Seeker's Allowance (Comprehensive Social Security Allowance), one must satisfy the means test component. In order to satisfy the means test component, the Social Welfare Department takes into account the income of family members living together irrespective of their sexual orientation.

In May 2019, a Cathay Pacific advertisement featuring a same-sex couple which showed two men strolling hand in hand along a beach was banned by Airport Authority Hong Kong and MTR Corporation. Both overturned their position a day after widespread public criticism and outrage by the ban and it was later displayed days later.

Representation in the media

Since the 1990s, several Hong Kong films have had LGBT characters or themes in them. However, television programming has largely tended to avoid LGBT characters or themes, until recently.

In 2006, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) broadcast a television film called Gay Lovers, which received criticism from social conservatives for "encouraging" people to become gay. In 2007, the Broadcasting Authority ruled that the RTHK-produced programme "Gay Lovers" was "unfair, partial and biased towards homosexuality, and having the effect of promoting the acceptance of homosexual marriage." On 5 May 2008 Justice Michael Hartmann overturned the ruling of the Broadcasting Authority that the programme's discussion on same sex marriage was deemed to have breached broadcasting guidelines for not including anti-gay views.

As social attitudes have become more open and accepting in Hong Kong, more artists and prominent persons have become open about discussing their sexual orientation publicly.

Chet Lam (林一峰), a Hong Kong folk singer, came out to the public through an interview with The Advocate (UK).

In April 2012, well known artist, Anthony Wong (黃耀明), came out as gay during one of his concert series, with fans giving him a very positive response.

In September 2012, newly elected lawmaker Ray Chan Chi-chuen (陳志全), a former radio and TV host, revealed to Oriental Daily that he is gay, making him the first openly gay legislator in Greater China. Local media coverage of his coming out as gay was largely positive.

On 10 Nov 2012, Denise Ho (何韻詩) announced her sexual orientation on stage at the "Dare to Love" event during the Hong Kong Pride Parade 2012. She called herself "tongzhi" (同志) a Chinese slang word for gay. She is the first mainstream female singer in Hong Kong to come out.

Public opinion

Opinion polling shows a trend toward increasing public support of LGBT equality.

In a 2013 poll conducted by the University of Hong Kong, 33.3% of respondents supported same-sex marriage for same-sex couples, with 43% being opposed. Another poll conducted by the Liberal Party showed that 29% supported same-sex marriage while 59% were against it.

A survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong in 2014 showed that 27% supported same-sex marriage while 12% said that they somewhat agreed. At the same time, the same poll found out that 74% of the respondents agreed that same-sex couples should have the same or some rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples.

A 2017 University of Hong Kong poll found that 50.4% of respondents supported same-sex marriage.

A 2019 CUHK survey found that 60% agreed and 12% disagreed that there should be increased anti-discrimination legal protections for people of different sexual orientations, an increase in support from 56% agree and 35% disagree in 2016. The survey found that 49% agreed and 23% disagreed that a homosexual should be able to marry their partner. However, when the question was framed in terms of legal recognition of same-sex marriage, 44% agreed and 27% disagreed. The survey also found that 54% would react negatively and 10% positively if a business openly opposes anti-discrimination laws.

Following Taiwan's recognition of same-sex marriage, 49% viewed the development positively and 16% negatively.

Younger people and non-religious people were more likely to support an anti-discrimination ordinance and same-sex marriage.

A 2022 Public Opinion Research Institute poll commissioned by Pink Alliance found that among residents aged 18 to 40, 86% agreed that LGBTQ+ people should be treated fairly and should not be discriminated against, 75% supported same-sex marriage, and 63% supported anti-discrimination legislation.

In May 2023, a survey showed that 60% of Hongkongers agreed with same-sex marriage.

Transgender rights

In a 2019 CUHK survey, 59% agreed and 9% disagreed that transgender people should be able to freely express their gender.

Professional opinion

The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists

On 15 November 2011, the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists, as a licensing body of professional psychiatrists in Hong Kong, published an announcement stating that homosexuality is not an illness and there is no scientifically proven evidence to support the attempts to change one's sexual orientation. Until February 2012, the announcement has not been uploaded onto the college's website or published in any professional journals; it is, however, available in electronic pdf format upon request. The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists is the very first professional authority in Asia that explicitly and publicly opined their professional standing on issues regarding homosexuality and treatments altering one's sexual orientation.

The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists opines that homosexuality is not a psychiatric disorder...The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists adheres firmly to the practice of scientifically proven and evidence-based treatment. Psychiatric treatments have to be provided according to well established principles and practice available at the time. There is, at present, no sound scientific and clinical evidence supporting the benefits of attempts to alter sexual orientation.

The Hong Kong Psychological Society

In light of the absence of practice guidelines for lesbians, gays, and bisexual individuals for psychologists in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Psychological Society, as both a learned society and a professional association, formed a work group in July 2011 to tackle the problem. On 1 August 2012, the Society published a position paper titled, Position Paper for Psychologists Working with Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexual (LGB) Individuals. There are 11 major guidelines in this position paper:

Hong Kong Association of Doctors in Clinical Psychology (HKADCP)

HKADCP's Code of Ethics ensures the HKADCP Registered Clinical Psychologists avoid discrimination in all forms and are sensitive to power differentials in dealing with current and former clients, employers, employees, and peers by striving to protect individuals who may be in a position of lower power. They are particularly sensitive to the needs of underprivileged and otherwise vulnerable individuals.

Civil Service vacancies

The Government, at all levels, is not allowed to have any unjustified differential treatments on ground of sexual orientation as a direct result of a series of high-profile court cases. Particularly, in Secretary for Justice v Yau Yuk Lung Zigo, the Court of Final Appeal ruled that one's sexual orientation is a protected status against discrimination under the provisions of Articles 25 and 39 of the Basic Law and Articles 1 and 22 of the Bill of Rights Ordinance. Because of this interpretation from the judiciary, the Government has the responsibility to actively ensure all its policies, decisions, and actions are free of sexual orientation discrimination. The Basic Law and the Bill of Rights Ordinance only bind the Government, its agencies, and its representatives, but not private companies. As such, the general notes section of civil service vacancies advertisements include the assertion: "As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the Government is committed to eliminating discrimination in employment. The vacancy advertised is open to all applicants meeting the basic entry requirement irrespective of their disability, sex, marital status, pregnancy, age, family status, sexual orientation and race." In addition, current government employees who feel discriminated against or suffer from unfair treatment because of their sexual orientation may seek legal advice and may file civil actions against the Government in court.

Business sector

Since homosexuality is still a sensitive issue in Hong Kong, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the corporate sector is not unknown. LGBT employees are often victims of various levels of discrimination or harassment. Most companies do not include sexual orientation in their diversity and inclusion policies. And, with no legislation protecting LGBT employees, the situation remains unresolved. This is also true for multinational corporations. Although many US- or Europe-based companies in Hong Kong may have non-discrimination policies protecting their LGBT employees in their home countries, most do not adopt such practices in Hong Kong. Such a phenomenon makes many local employees and even expatriates vulnerable to discrimination.

For many years, leading advocate groups such as Community Business, have worked to promote and advance the extension of non-discrimination policies in the corporate sector for LGBT minorities. Only a limited number of multinational companies have explicitly embraced such policies, namely Goldman Sachs and IBM. Only a handful of local and mainland China-based companies have extended non-discrimination protection to LGBT employees, including blue-chip stock companies.

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal	(Since 1991)
Equal age of consent	(Since 2006)
Anti-discrimination
Anti-discrimination laws in employment
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)
Same-sex marriage(s)
Recognition of same-sex couples	/ (since Sep 2025)
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples	(Since 2021)
Joint adoption by same-sex couples
Adoption by single people regardless of sexual orientation
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military	Not applicable / not prohibited by law (PLA is responsible for national defence)
Right to change legal gender
Access to IVF for lesbians
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
MSMs allowed to donate blood	(since 2017, 6-month deferral period)

See also

• LGBT rights in Asia
• LGBT rights in China
• LGBT rights in Macau
• LGBT culture in Hong Kong
• Recognition of same-sex unions in China
• Human rights in Hong Kong
• Same-sex union court cases
• HIV/AIDS in Hong Kong

Notes

1. Cantonese romanization: Hēunggóng Yàhnkyùhn Faaton Tìuhlaih

References

1. Lau, Chris; Taylor, Jerome. "Hong Kong's top court tells government to create 'legal recognition' for same-sex partnerships". CNN. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
2. Vittachi, Nury (7 December 2016). "HSBC's rainbow lions: Can we have our homophobia back please?". Hong Kong Free Press.
3. Phil CW Chan, "Stonewalling through Schizophrenia: An Anti-Gay Rights Culture in Hong Kong?", Sexuality & Culture, 2008
4. "Hong Kong gays fight sodomy laws, triggering debate in traditional society". The Advocate. 31 December 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
5. Hartmann, Michael (24 August 2005). "Secretary for Justice v. Leung TC William Roy, HCAL160/2004, [2005] 3 HKLRD 657".
6. "Secretary for Justice v. Leung TC William Roy (CACV317A/2005)". 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
7. "Hong Kong e-Legislation". www.elegislation.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
8. "Legislative Council Brief: Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014" (PDF). Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
9. "LGBT victory as High Court abolishes four crimes targeting gay men". South China Morning Post. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
10. "Hong Kong High Court repeals laws criminalizing gay male sex". Gay Star News. 30 May 2019. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
11. "Judgment". legalref.judiciary.hk. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
12. "Gay couples to be protected by Hong Kong domestic violence law". Pink News. 4 June 2009. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
13. "Wedding bells ring for transgender people". South China Morning Post. 17 July 2014.
14. "Same-sex marriage not in city's immediate future, says Lam". South China Morning Post. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
15. "Hong Kong no closer to 'controversial' marriage equality, leader says". Gay Star News. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
16. Creery, Jennifer (21 March 2019). "Hong Kong is no closer to legalising same-sex marriage, says Chief Exec. Carrie Lam". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
17. "Follow Taiwan's lead on same-sex marriage? No, equality watchdog says". South China Morning Post. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
18. Pang, Jessie (5 September 2023). "Hong Kong's top court urges alternative legal framework for same-sex couples". Reuters. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
19. Liu, Juliana (14 May 2015). "Gay woman challenges Hong Kong in landmark trial". BBC. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
20. "Vidler & Co. Solicitors | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
21. Lai, Catherine (17 November 2016). "Gov't made exception to allow same-sex spouses of consular staff to remain in Hong Kong". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
22. "British lesbian wins right to spousal visa in landmark Hong Kong case". Reuters. 25 September 2017.
23. "Hong Kong gay rights: British lesbian wins spousal visa case". BBC News. 25 September 2017.
24. ^ "'Giant step forward for equality' in Hong Kong as same-sex couples win right to spousal visas in Court of Final Appeal". South China Morning Post. 4 July 2018.
25. "Breakthrough for LGBT rights as Hong Kong to recognise same-sex partnerships in spousal visa applications". South China Morning Post. 18 September 2018.
26. Lau, Chris (28 April 2017). "Landmark win for gay Hong Kong civil servant over husband's benefits". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
27. Leung, Christy (1 May 2017). "More gay Hong Kong civil servants could marry abroad for spousal benefits, union says". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
28. Tong, Elson (25 May 2017). "Hong Kong gov't appeals High Court ruling on marriage benefits for gay couple". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
29. Cheung, Karen (11 December 2017). "Court hears gov't's appeal after gay Hong Kong civil servant won spousal benefits for husband". Hong Kong Free Press.
30. Lau, Chris (1 June 2018). "Government has 'legitimate aim' to protect traditional marriage, Hong Kong appeal court rules, overturning landmark decision on benefits for same-sex spouses". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
31. "Gay civil servant in final chapter of fight with government for spousal rights". South China Morning Post. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
32. "Hong Kong's top court sides with gay civil servant in application for spousal benefit and tax assessment". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
33. "Same-sex couples win right to joint tax assessment in rule change". South China Morning Post. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
34. "Married gay couples in Hong Kong now equal in the eyes of the taxman". Inkstone. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
35. ^ "Two gay men mount first legal challenges to Hong Kong laws banning same-sex marriage, with court giving their applications green light to proceed". South China Morning Post. 3 January 2019.
36. "Civil Partnership (Registration Abroad and Certificates) Order 2005". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
37. "UK consulate in Hong Kong bars same-sex weddings after government objection". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
38. "FOI release: same-sex marriage at the Consulate General Hong Kong". GOV.UK. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
39. "The Consular Marriages and Marriages under Foreign Law Order 2014". www.legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
40. "British Consulate General Hong Kong - GOV.UK". ukinhongkong.fco.gov.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
41. "Woman takes unprecedented step to advance LGBT cause in Hong Kong and sues government over civil partnerships ban". South China Morning Post. 24 August 2018.
42. "Queer Hong Kong Woman Sues for Civil Union Rights". www.advocate.com. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
43. "Woman sues Hong Kong government for not allowing same-sex civil partnerships". Gay Star News. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
44. "Judge in LGBT civil union case declines religious groups' offer to help". South China Morning Post. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
45. "Hong Kong judge rules religion should not define what marriage is". Gay Star News. 26 April 2019. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
46. "女同志覆核挑戰本港婚姻制 指政府將同性戀者排除於外有違《基本法》". std.stheadline.com. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
47. "Marriage 'no longer special' if gay people allowed to wed, says Hong Kong government". The Independent. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
48. ^ "Hong Kong court rules against same-sex civil partnerships". Hong Kong Free Press. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
49. Chung, Kimmy (22 November 2018). "'Small step' in push for civil unions for gay couples shot down in Hong Kong's legislature after heated debate". South China Morning Post.
50. "Hong Kong's public housing ban on gay couples unconstitutional, court rules". South China Morning Post. 4 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
51. "Hong Kong's top court affirms same-sex married couples' housing, inheritance rights in landmark LGBTQ decision". Hong Kong Free Press. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
52. ^ Mogul, Rhea (11 June 2021). "'A huge relief': Hong Kong's LGBT+ community hails court ruling granting parental rights for same-sex partners". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
53. Chan, Kelly. "One Step Forward: Securing Parental Rights for LGBTQ+ Couples in Hong Kong | OHRH". Retrieved 24 October 2023.
54. "Hong Kong e-Legislation". www.elegislation.gov.hk. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
55. "AN INTRODUCTION TO HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE" (PDF). Retrieved 29 April 2017.
56. Legislative Archive, entre for Comparative and Public Law, Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 October 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
57. Anonymous (1 March 1996). "Hong Kong: Legislative Council Considers Anti-Discrimination Bill". OutRight Action International. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
58. "History". Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
59. "New equality watchdog chief to start drive for LGBT protection this year". South China Morning Post. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
60. "New head of Hong Kong's Equal Opportunities Commission to start drive to tackle anti-LGBT discrimination later this year". sg.news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
61. Bolich, G. G. (2007), Transgender History & Geography: Crossdressing in Context, vol. 3, Raleigh: Psyche's Press, p. 207, ISBN 0-615-16766-7
62. Collett, Nigel (19 August 2010). "Ms W vs. the Hong Kong Registrar of Marriages". Fridae. Archived from the original on 22 August 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
63. Law, Violet (1 February 2019). "Hong Kong court denies male status to 3 transgender men". AP NEWS. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
64. "ID card sex entry policy revised". Hong Kong's Information Services Department (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 23 September 2024.
65. Chan, Kelvin. "HK Transgender Woman Wins Legal Battle to Marry". ABC News. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
66. "Hong Kong court supports transsexual right to wed". BBC News. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
67. "Hong Kong customs officers behaved 'like animals' during body search", South China Morning Post, 1 November 2013, retrieved 2 February 2014
68. 為換護照慘失國籍失學位失尊嚴 被海關當畜牲跨性別博士來港三失不是人 - Tragic loss of a nationality, 1 November 2013, retrieved 2 February 2014
69. Trans woman subjected to invasive search at Hong Kong airport, 1 November 2013, archived from the original on 20 February 2014, retrieved 2 February 2014
70. "Hong Kong rules trans people need surgery to change legal gender". PinkNews. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
71. "Transgender trio fail in bid to be listed as male on Hong Kong ID card". South China Morning Post. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
72. "Transgender men win Hong Kong court case over ID cards". NBC News. Associated Press. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
73. Li, Almond (13 February 2023). "Hong Kong trans activist Henry Tse fought for the right to be recognised as a man without full surgery – and won". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
74. de Guzman, Chad (3 April 2024). "Hong Kong Amends Its Surgery Requirements to Change Gender Markers on IDs". Time. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
75. "The Rights of the Individual - gender". www.cmab.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
76. "The Rights of the Individual - Equal Opportunities". www.cmab.gov.hk. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
77. "What To Fear？就係怕葉劉！ | Lotus Yuen | 香港獨立媒體網". 香港獨立媒體網. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
78. "Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme" (PDF). SWD. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
79. "Cathay Pacific's LGBT ad banned from Hong Kong airport and MTR". South China Morning Post. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
80. "Airport Authority joins MTR Corp in reversing ban on same-sex advert". South China Morning Post. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
81. "Legislator, 16 groups rail against LGBT movement as same-sex ad goes on display". South China Morning Post. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
82. "'gay lovers' programme did not breach broadcasting guidelines, says hong kong high court". www.fridae.asia. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
83. "Eastern Promise". 5 October 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
84. "Pop Star's Stadium-Style Coming Out". The Wall Street Journal.
85. "Hong Kong sees its first out gay politician". Gay Star News. 11 September 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
86. "Pop star Denise Ho comes out at Hong Kong Pride". Gay Star News. 10 November 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
87. "One in 10 Chinese bankers won't work with gay and lesbian colleagues". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
88. "News (in traditional Chinese only): A survey found out that almost 60% of Hong Kong people are against the legalization of same-sex marriage". Archived from the original on 19 May 2014.
89. "Research Shows a Majority of People in Hong Kong Support Gay and Lesbian Couples' Rights - All News - Media - HKU". www.hku.hk. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
90. Loper, K. A.; Lau, Holning; Lau, Charles (3 January 2014). "Research Shows a Majority of People in Hong Kong Support Gay and Lesbian Couples' Rights, Not Necessarily Marriage". SSRN 2374875.
91. Lai, Catherine (4 July 2018). "Over half of Hongkongers support same-sex marriage, HKU report finds". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
92. Siu, Phila; Gurung, Evanna (3 July 2018). "Support for same-sex marriage in Hong Kong grows as new study shows attitudes to LGBT community are changing in city". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
93. "Support in Hong Kong for Same-sex Couples' Rights Grew Over Four Years (2013-2017). Over Half of People in Hong Kong Now Support Same-Sex Marriage" (PDF). Centre for Comparative and Public Law. July 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
94. ^ "E-news - Equal Opportunities Commission". www.eoc.org.hk. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
95. Lee, Peter (3 October 2022). "Majority of younger Hongkongers support LGBTQ+ equality, but discrimination still common, survey finds". Hong Kong Free Press.
96. Cheng, Mandy (17 May 2023). "IDAHOT 2023: 60% of Hongkongers surveyed now agree with same-sex marriage". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
97. "Announcement from Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists". Archived from the original on 12 April 2019.
98. "News on Announcement from Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists". 18 January 2012.
99. "work group on the position paper for psychologists working with LGB individuals" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
100. "Position Paper for Psychologists Working with Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexual (LGB) Individuals" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
101. "Community Business". 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
102. "Creating Inclusive Workplaces for LGBT+ Employees". Community Business. 29 November 2017. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
103. "CAP 181 MARRIAGE ORDINANCE Section 40 Marriages Under this Ordinance are Christian or Equivalent Thereto". HKLII. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
104. "[2023] HKCFA 28". Legal Reference System.
105. "CAP 290 ADOPTION ORDINANCE Section 4 Power to make adoption orders". HKLII. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
106. "Army life: more gay-friendly in China than Britain or United States? | This Week In Asia | South China Morning Post". 16 May 2017. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
107. "W v. THE REGISTRAR OF MARRIAGES (2013) HKCFA 39". HKLII. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
108. "CAP 561 HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY ORDINANCE Section 14, Prohibition against using donated gametes in surrogacy arrangement". HKLII. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
109. "Relaxed rules to allow gay men in Hong Kong to donate blood". SCMP. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2018.

• LGBTQ rights in Hong Kong
• Law of Hong Kong