Same-sex couples’ newly opened path to public housing still has a roadblock – getting married in the first place

Those who need public housing the most cannot afford to travel abroad to get the necessary wedding, LGBT advocate says

While gay marriage is legal in neighbouring Taiwan, they only allow ceremonies for couples from other countries where that is the case

Reading Time:3 minutes

Mafa Wong Man-lai (right) and her girlfriend were happy to see a path to public housing open for married same-sex couples, but wonder how they can ever afford to travel abroad to tie the knot. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 9:00am, 9 Mar 2020Updated: 11:03pm, 9 Mar 2020

Mafa Wong Man-lai had reason to be excited when a Hong Kong court ruled last Wednesday that same-sex married couples were eligible for public housing. It would give her and her girlfriend a more affordable option when they were ready to move in together. But then, reality hit home.

To qualify, the couple must first be married, and there is no such option for them in Hong Kong, which does not allow same-sex marriage

Tying the knot overseas was the only viable option, but the bill is not one someone who earns less than HK$10,000 a month waiting tables at a Japanese restaurant can easily afford.

“I wouldn’t say the [ruling] was not helpful. But the hurdle still stands, and it’s quite difficult for us to get married,” the 25-year-old said.

A string of recent court challenges have chipped away at government prohibitions surrounding rights for same-sex couple. Photo: Roy Issa

On Wednesday, Hong Kong’s High Court ruled the government’s policy of denying same-sex couples the right to apply for public housing was unlawful and unconstitutional.

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