A victory, but not the end of the fight. Hong Kong’s highest court on Tuesday ruled in favor of same-sex civil unions but did not grant them the right to marry. The Court of Final Appeal found that the government is in breach “of its obligation (…) to legally recognize same-sex couples”, according to the judgment, which however “unanimously rejects the appeal” concerning the recognition of their marriage.
This judgment was eagerly awaited by the LGBT+ community in the former British colony, which for a decade has won important victories in court, including the reversal of discriminatory government policies on visas, taxes and visas. housing assistance.
60% of Hong Kongers support same-sex marriage
The case tried on Tuesday was brought by the famous pro-democracy activist currently in detention, Jimmy Sham. Since embarking on this legal battle in 2018, Jimmy Sham, 36, has suffered two setbacks in Hong Kong courts which refused to recognize his union with a same-sex partner in the United States in 2013.
According to a poll last year, 60% of Hong Kongers support same-sex marriage, up from 38% a decade ago. More and more international companies based in Hong Kong are supporting campaigns for marriage equality, arguing that it will be easier to attract talent. But pro-Beijing Hong Kong leaders have been reluctant in recent years to pass legislation supporting LGBT+ rights.