By Jessie Pang
HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong’s legislative council began discussion on Thursday of a government proposal to allow local registration for same-sex couples who have registered their marriage or relationship overseas, amid strong opposition from pro-Beijing legislators.
The Hong Kong government is proposing to establish a registration system to give legal recognition to same-sex couples who have registered overseas, according to an official document released on Wednesday.
Hong Kong’s top court in September 2023 partially approved a landmark appeal by LGBTQ activist Jimmy Sham for recognition of same-sex marriages. Although not then granting a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, judges gave the government two years to develop a legal framework to meet basic social needs.
Many pro-Beijing legislators have expressed strong opposition to the proposal and asked the government to seek a delay from the court. They have also urged for public consultation before any legislative change.
Holden Chow, a member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), said approving the proposal would encourage people to enter into same-sex marriages overseas, effectively granting the marriages recognition.
The legislative council has “the responsibility to uphold traditional Chinese family values and the institution of marriage between one man and one woman,” Chow said.
“I oppose the indirect recognition of same-sex marriage and firmly oppose this alternative proposal.”
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang told the legislature the government has to respect the court’s ruling, and said it was “crystal clear” the court and the government have no intention to shake the foundation of marriage between a man and a woman.
“I want to stress again, from the beginning till the end, including the court and the government, we did not intend to recognise same-sex marriage,” Tsang said.
Sham and other LGBTQ groups have criticized the requirement that same-sex couples must first be married or registered overseas, arguing that it creates significant barriers for those who cannot afford to travel to another country to register.
Sham and other activists have attended the legislative council meeting, which is open to the public.
Tsang dismissed Sham’s objection and the difficulties of registering overseas.
“There are currently over 30 countries or regions around the world that offer same-sex marriage or partnership registration, some even allowing online registration,” Tsang said.
“We believe that for most people, this should not pose a significant challenge. Ultimately, it is a matter of choice.”
After the meeting, Sham told reporters outside the legislature that more than 60% of Hong Kong residents had supported same-sex marriage in past surveys.
“I have heard that the main reason to oppose the proposal is to uphold the traditional family values. I would like to say that each of us grew up in a traditional family,” Sham said.
“We do not want to destroy traditional family values. We only wish to have a safeguard of our life.”
(Reporting by Jessie Pang and Charis Yu; Editing by Tom Hogue)
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