Lawmakers in Hong Kong have rejected a controversial bill that would have granted limited rights to same-sex couples, in a blow to the city's gay rights movement.
The law, which would have recognised some rights for couples who were married overseas, was opposed by 71 of the city's 89-member Legislative Council (LegCo).
It was proposed by the government to comply with a 2023 court ruling, following the rejection of an attempt to legalise same-sex marriage.
While the city has in recent years been perceived as becoming gay-friendly, it has limited rights for the estimated 6% of the adult population who identify as LGBTQ. Recent polls suggest there is rising support towards the community.
Human rights group Amnesty International criticised the rejection of the bill, saying that it showed an alarming disdain for LGBTQ rights, and urged Hong Kong authorities to introduce a new and revised bill.
Hong Kong LGBTQ rights activist Jimmy Sham said it was deeply regrettable that the bill did not pass and that the government's inability to protect same-sex couples rights would remain an open wound.
He added that he believed the government would not turn a blind eye to the current illegal and unconstitutional situation.
The bill stemmed from a long-running legal challenge to legalise same-sex marriage initiated by Sham, who had wanted official recognition of his marriage to his husband. The pair were married in New York in 2013.
The Hong Kong's top court shot this down in 2023, but in a partial victory for activists, the Court of Final Appeal said at the time that the Hong Kong government had to formulate an alternative framework within two years to recognise unions between members of the same sex.
This year's bill was an attempt by the Hong Kong government to fulfil this legal obligation.
The proposed legislation aimed to create a registration system for same-sex couples married or with civil unions overseas, granting them rights including hospital visitations and making medical decisions for their spouses.
The city's chief executive John Lee supported this bill and urged LegCo to pass it, warning that a rejection would violate Hong Kong's rule of law and lead to serious consequences.
Nevertheless, the bill faced criticism from both LGBTQ activists, viewing it as insufficient, and LegCo members opposing it on grounds of traditional family values.
The rejection of the bill means the government will need to urgently create an alternative proposal before its deadline, adding significant pressure on its leadership in light of the recent changes in legislative control following Beijing's tightening grip.
