Opinion | How embracing marriage equality can revive Hong Kong’s image

Name: Hong Kong gay couple Angus Leung and Scott Adams recall fight for spousal rights and equality
Uploaded: 2020-09-23T22:45:15.000Z
Duration: 3 min 1 s
Description: Hong Kong gay couple Angus Leung and Scott Adams recall fight for spousal rights and equality

The political establishment, from pro-government parties to businesses, should embrace same-sex marriage as it is in their political and economic self-interest

As societies grow more tolerant on LGBT issues, Hong Kong cannot afford to appear out of touch and fall behind in the race for global talent

Reading Time:3 minutes

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A rainbow flag flies at the Pride Parade assembly in Central on November 16, 2019. Acceptance of marriage equality among Hong Kong’s pro-establishment politicians and business community would help rehabilitate the city’s battered image. Photo: Felix Wong

Brian Y. S. Wong

Published: 6:45am, 24 Sep 2020Updated: 7:17am, 24 Sep 2020

The High Court in Hong Kong recently ruled as unlawfully discriminatory the practice prohibiting individuals from claiming the inheritance of their same-sex spouse. On the same day, the court struck down an appeal against the government’s refusal to acknowledge same-sex marriages established in overseas jurisdictions.

There are many arguments in favour of recognising same-sex marriage in Hong Kong. Some say it is a core aspect of individuals’ civil liberties to have their most intimate identity characteristics granted the minimum level of protection by law.

Others note that in aspiring to maintain its economic competitiveness and attractiveness to global talent, Hong Kong needs to remain culturally and socially progressive. Many also argue that being gay is a fact of birth and not a choice. Just as it would be arbitrary and unjust to penalise individuals for being a particular race or sex, it is arbitrary to condemn same-sex couples because they are “different” from their heterosexual counterparts.

I believe the local political establishment, from the most trenchant pro-government parties to commercial conglomerates, should embrace same-sex marriage as aligns with their political and economic self-interest.

There are few acts as emphatic as supporting same-sex marriage that could help the establishment demonstrate that they, too, are open to gradual, progressive reforms. For decades, the pan-democrats have supported the local LGBT movement’s push for equality, which lets them portray the establishment as ossified and enmeshed in bigotry.

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Hong Kong gay couple Angus Leung and Scott Adams recall fight for spousal rights and equality

The best way to court voters who oscillate between the risk-averse establishment and the liberal, open-minded pan-democrats is a clear signal that even pro-Beijing politicians recognise the global zeitgeist and are open to reforms that do not rock the boat. Status-quo-biased, socially conservative voters would side with the establishment regardless, so the electoral cost would be marginal on that front.

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