My TakeLGBT book should be thrown at officials
Recent rows over gay issues have shown the government to be well behind the times and it is in no position to judge the sexual preferences of others
For a government that claims it wants greater social harmony, recent rows over LGBT issues have been wholly of its own making.
From restricting access to children’s books with gay themes in public libraries to fighting – and losing – a court case involving an expatriate gay spouse all the way to the top court, officials created the conflicts while fighting a progressive trend that is probably irreversible.
Legalising same-sex marriage in Hong Kong is just a matter of time, though it may take us much longer. Taiwan, though, is already there.
Still, the government should recognise this global trend. It may be too hot a political potato for it to handle right now. But it would be wise to take steps in preparing the community for this eventuality, rather than trying to fight it.
I say this not to advocate homosexuality but because it’s the rational and humane things to do.
Society may actually be ahead. A survey by the University of Hong Kong finds that one in two residents now supports same-sex marriage, a jump of 12 percentage points from four years ago.