Nearly half the inquiries and opinions sent to the Equal Opportunity Commission last year were about sexual orientation, with most opposing legislation outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The commission received 26,679 inquiries, more than doubled 2004's 12,401, boosted by 12,585 inquiries and letters about anti-bias laws on sexual orientation.
'In most of the inquiries about sexual orientation, the writers expressed their fear that morals like traditional family values and religious values would be impacted by the legislation,' said commission chairman Raymond Tang Yee-bong, 'but it doesn't necessarily mean that there is prejudice.'
There is no timetable for the legislation and consultation.
'It doesn't mean the government is ignoring this issue; it is a matter of priority,' he said. 'The government is now looking at legislation on racial discrimination.'
He said the issue of sexual orientation was not something new and there should be a solution that the whole of society could agree with. The commission admitted there was discrimination against sexual minorities and attention should be paid to the issue.
