Carrie Lam angers both sides with confusing remarks on Hong Kong legalisation of same-sex marriage
Contradictory comments on thorny issue lead to questions about her integrity and intentions
Chief executive hopeful Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has been urged to publicly clarify her stance on the legalisation of same-sex marriage after she angered both pro and anti-gay-rights groups with contradictory remarks on the contentious issue.
In the latest twist to her election bid, the two camps questioned Lam’s integrity on Wednesday, accusing her of backtracking on her stance on the issue and causing confusion with her remarks.
Earlier this month, Lam said on a Commercial Radio programme that she would “not rule out consultation” on gay marriages. As a devout Catholic, Lam added that she always reminded herself not to let her religious beliefs interfere with her judgment on policy formulation.
“But if the time is not ripe for legislation and we still push for it, then this may trigger a backlash against gay people who will face hostility and discrimination,” she argued.
However, when confronted by an anti-gay-rights concern group which was petitioning to Lam’s campaign office on Wednesday, her spokesman Tai Keen-man, former RTHK deputy broadcasting director, said her earlier comments about gay marriage consultation were only a response “out of courtesy”.
“We already replied to the group that Mrs Lam has no intention to push for same-sex marriages. When there is no social consensus, it will only further divide society,” he told the Post.