“Hong Kong lawmakers have vetoed a limited rights bill for same-sex couples, despite growing public support and a top court ruling mandating recognition by October. Explore the legal fallout, activist response, and what’s next.”
Hong Kong Lawmakers Reject Same-Sex Partnership Bill Despite Increasing Support
In a significant blow to LGBTQ+ rights in Hong Kong, lawmakers rejected the Registration of Same-Sex Partnerships Bill on September 10, 2025. The bill—proposed in response to a 2023 Court of Final Appeal ruling—would have granted limited rights such as hospital visitation, medical decision-making, and control over after-death arrangements for same-sex couples married or partnered abroad.
The vote was decisively lopsided: 71 against, just 14 in favor. This marked the first government bill to be vetoed since the Legislative Council was reshaped in 2021 to exclude pro-democracy voices. Conservative legislators blamed the measure for threatening traditional family values—one described it as a push to “open Pandora’s box.
Advocates and human rights groups, including Hong Kong Marriage Equality and Amnesty International, condemned the defeat as a setback to fairness, inclusivity, and international credibility . They also noted that much of the public feedback opposing the bill may have been artificially generated using templated submissions.
Legal Background & Public Sentiment
In September 2023, Hong Kong’s top court ruled that the government must establish a legal framework recognizing the core rights of same-sex relationships by October 2025—even though it did not legalize same-sex marriage.
Public sentiment has shifted markedly: support for same-sex marriage rose from 38% in 2013 to 60% in 2023. Meanwhile, legal victories in other areas—including parental recognition and subsidized housing—have gradually extended rights to LGBTQ+ citizens.
What’s Next?
With the court’s deadline approaching, the government still has a legal obligation to act—even without legislative backing. Activists warn that failure to deliver could provoke constitutional challenges and further damage Hong Kong’s reputation on human rights
