Opinion | Hong Kong’s top court rejected discrimination against same-sex couples. It’s time for the rest of the city to follow suit
Jan Wetzel says by making clear that each distinction in treatment on the basis of sexual orientation must be justified, the Court of Final Appeal is setting an example of conduct the government should heed – by thoroughly reviewing discriminatory laws, policies and practices
“A second-class citizen because of my sexual orientation” is how “QT”, the British woman wanting to live with her partner in Hong Kong, described her treatment at the hands of the local authorities.
Amnesty International hailed the judgment as a milestone for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in Hong Kong, who are treated like second-class citizens in many aspects of everyday life. The court’s ruling has the potential to change this.
Same-sex couples in Hong Kong, even when they married or entered into civil partnerships overseas, cannot apply for public housing, succeed in each other’s tenancy should one partner die, or inherit property if there is no will. They also do not have full parental rights for their children.