Most Hongkongers believe anti-gay attitudes should be tolerated: research
Almost 70 per cent of people believe society should tolerate anti-homosexual attitudes while more than half say the government should not require all schools to teach that both homosexual and heterosexual love are beautiful.
Almost 70 per cent of people believe society should tolerate anti-homosexual attitudes while more than half say the government should not require all schools to teach that both homosexual and heterosexual love are beautiful, new research has found.
The Family School Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance Concern Group, an anti-gay-rights group which commissioned the research, said the Equal Opportunities Commission should respect people's opinions and halt a review of anti-discrimination laws which could extend protection to gay couples in a "de facto marriage".
But gay right activists argue the research reinforces why laws are needed to protect homosexuals from widespread discrimination in society.
The survey, based on interviews with 611 adults, was conducted by Polytechnic University researchers in November.
Some 68 per cent of respondents agreed that society should tolerate different opinions, including those against homosexuality, while only 15 per cent disagreed, the study showed. And 57 per cent disagreed with the idea that schools should teach pupils that "both homosexual and heterosexual love are beautiful".
At present, the city has no law against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Just under half, 49 per cent, disagreed that the government should recognise gay couples in de facto relationships - a recommendation of the EOC - and ask employers to provide them with benefits accordingly.
Only 28 per cent agreed with the proposal.
Roger Wong Wai-ming, the head of the family school group, said the government and the EOC should not "deprive" people of their "freedom of speech" by passing laws to protect gay rights.
But Brian Leung Siu-fai, of gay rights group the Big Love Alliance, said campaigns to abolish slavery and promote women's rights had both started out against mainstream opinion.
"If research shows such widespread discrimination in society, the government has even more reason to protect gay rights," Leung said.
Consultation on the EOC's review of anti-discrimination laws ended in October and it is due to make recommendations to the government.
