Government orders study of discrimination sexual minorities face
Study into discrimination faced by gay and lesbian community is to start next month
Days after property tycoon Cecil Chao Sze-tsung doubled to HK$1 billion his "dowry" for any man who married his lesbian daughter Gigi Chao, the government took its first step towards protecting Hong Kong's gay and lesbian communities.
A study into the discrimination experienced by sexual minorities has been commissioned by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau.
A bureau spokesman said the study was suggested by the Advisory Group on Eliminating Discrimination against Sexual Minorities, a body established in June last year.
The study, which starts next month, will involve focus group discussions and in-depth interviews and should be complete by the second half of the year.
Connie Chan, of the Women's Coalition, said the study would use current legislation as a reference to investigate discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual people.
The Sex Discrimination Ordinance, enacted in 1995, offers protection in seven areas, including employment, education, housing and participation in government activities. However, while it covers discrimination on the grounds of gender, marital status and pregnancy, it does not cover sexual preference.
Tommy Chen of gay rights movement Rainbow Action, a member of the advisory group, said pressure on sexual minorities often came from parents.