Amnesty International is to launch a concern group for homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals in Hong Kong as pressure mounts for a law against discrimination to be enacted.
The move is regarded as crucial in minority circles as rumours grow about the future of the Equal Opportunities Commission, which could be in line for government cuts.
It comes weeks after gay lobbyists began pushing for Hong Kong to host an annual gay pride march to maximise tourism returns from the 'pink dollar'.
The co-ordinator of the new concern group, Liz Whitelam, said although homosexuals in Hong Kong did not face extreme persecution or physical violence, Amnesty International wanted to bring its work in the area to the level of that in other developed countries.
'Of course, Hong Kong is not Egypt or Zimbabwe, it is much more reasonable and safer. But that's not to say that we don't need to work on it,' she said.
Roddy Shaw Kwok-wah, chairman of Civil Rights for Sexual Diversities, said: 'We are confident that if a race discrimination law is passed, sexual orientation will come next. But I'm most worried about the future of the Equal Opportunities Commission, especially whether it can maintain its independent status.'
Mr Shaw said about 5 to 10 per cent of Hong Kong's population was homosexual or bisexual.