A motion calling for public debate on a law to ensure equal rights for people of all sexual orientations was voted down by lawmakers in an often heated session yesterday.
While most legislators agreed initially that public consultation on the issue would be beneficial there was deep division on whether a law was needed.
Supporters of a law said it would protect against discrimination those with non-mainstream sexual preferences.
Opponents said it was a moral issue, arguing that a law could inhibit people from speaking out on the issue and might trigger reverse discrimination.
Religion featured strongly on both sides of the argument, as legislators quoted the Bible and prayers and professed their religious affiliations.
The motion, proposed by Cyd Ho Sau-lan of the Labour Party, called on the government to "expeditiously" launch a public consultation.
Raymond Chan Chi-chuen of People Power, the first openly gay lawmaker anywhere in China, appealed to his fellow lawmakers to end discrimination in the workplace, in schools and in society.
"This is only a lowly and mild plea to open communication in society through public consultation," Chan said. "We are not even asking for legislation of controversial areas at the moment."
The secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, Raymond Tam Chi-yuen, said there were two problems with the motion - its timing and the controversial subject matter.
"While we need to address [discrimination], it's important to see whether it is the right time for these discussions," he said. While Hong Kong was a tolerant and open society, traditional views of marriage and family were still strong.
He admitted, though, that the government should put more resources into promoting equality and ending discrimination.
During the debate, in which 28 lawmakers spoke, James To Kun-sun of the Democratic Party said: "Discrimination of any sort is not acceptable."
But he said the government would have to tread carefully when it came to legislation.
Abraham Razack of the Business and Professionals Alliance said it was a moral issue that would not be best solved through legislation.
Ho said she was disappointed that her motion had been voted down and accused the government of having a closed mind and not doing its duty.
A spokesman for Pink Alliance, a network of rights groups for sexual minorities, said: "The defeat shows the government and certain legislators are in the Stone Age and oblivious to world trends."
Ho released results of a University of Hong Kong poll she commissioned in which 1,022 people were questioned. Some 75.8 per cent felt there was discrimination against people with different sexual orientations.
Almost two-thirds believed there should be legislation to protect such people against discrimination. On gay marriage, 39 per cent opposed the idea, while 32.7 per cent supported it.
Related topics
For unlimited access to:
Existing subscribers, login here
This article is now closed to comments
6:24pm
3:35am
In reply to: paulpaskewitz (Nov 9th 2012, 1:59am)
I know my stance is the unpopular one now, but this is how I see it. If I'm wrong then please tell me, I mean I would love to jump ship. The last thing I want is to be part of the minority.
But in response to your argument, that mutual consent actually differentiates one thing from the other. Love is not what defines a homosexual. It's his sexual ideas that define him. Love happens between many people, brother-sister, father-son, brothers (biological or otherwise), these are all normal healthy loving relationships and they do not involve sex. The difference between a homosexual man and a hetro-sexual man, is not who he loves, it's his ideas of who he can have sex with.
With regards to HS in the animal world. If you're going to argue that human HS is ok because animal HS is ok, then you need to prove the latter first.
3:47am
In reply to: randomtask (Nov 9th 2012, 3:35am)
I also want to add, I am NOT trying to promote discrimination against gays, I do not agree with bullying or persecution of any sort. There are many great professional and people who are gay and contribute great things to the world, and they should totally be respected for those accomplishments. But on the issue of homosexual behavior I, like many others, disagree.
5:14pm
11:46am
1:43pm
In reply to: ling2777 (Nov 8th 2012, 11:46am)
Assume for a moment that your child turns out to be gay.
Yes, you may be disappointed, but that does not make you right, and it does not make you a responsible parent.
This shouldn’t be about what your “wishes” are – this is about your children’s best interests, not your own, because it is their lives that is directly affected.
You are not being responsible by teaching them that, because they happen to love someone of the same gender, they do not fit into your view of “good common value”, or that they are not “natural”. What you are teaching them is discrimination and hate… and a hate of themselves because they have learnt from you that what they are is bad and unnatural and they have failed your expectations and wishes.
You are also starting from the wrong assumption that sexual orientation is something that can be taught or a decision that is consciously made.
What CAN be, and SHOULD be taught by a responsible parent, is that everyone should be treated equally and that your, or anyone else’s, children are not any less “good” or “natural” just because they fall in love with someone of their own gender. That you are proud of and love them no matter what.
The fact that the HK legislature would not even allow the topic to be DISCUSSED is disgusting and something we as HK citizens should feel ashamed of
11:33am
8:50am
8:02am