'HK Must Not Follow Taiwan On Gay Marriage'

DAB lawmaker Holden Chow says Hong Kong must not follow in Taiwan's footsteps by legalising same-sex marriage, warning of "huge consequences" if the SAR ever does.

On Friday, Taiwan's parliament passed a law allowing same-sex couples to form "exclusive permanent unions" and apply for "marriage registration" with government agencies.

The move makes Taiwan the first place in the whole of Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, prompting Hong Kong LGBT groups to call for the SAR to become the second.

But Chow, who is a former member of the Equal Opportunities Commission, implored the SAR government not to change the city's status quo on marriage.

"I have received a lot of concerns from a lot of religious organisations and other organisations who insist on protecting traditional family values," Chow said.

"In Hong Kong right now, the only legalised marriage is between one man and one woman and we hope that the government will take on board these sort of opinions to maintain this legal principle. If we are going to change the legal status of marriage or try to legalise same-sex marriage, there will be huge consequences".

Ray Chan, Hong Kong's only openly gay legislator, said he was celebrating the decision by Taiwan's lawmakers. He said Hong Kong's courts are currently handling a number of cases regarding the rights of same-sex couples, but the government should start work on the issue itself rather than waiting for the rulings.

Hong Kong's Big Love Alliance responded to the Taiwan move by thanking the island's activists for their determination and perseverance during a "long battle" for equality.

In a social media post, it said this battle was only just beginning in Hong Kong, with the city's courts serving as the frontline. The alliance urged local campaigners not to give up their fight and to continue speaking up for the city's LGBT community.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Marriage Equality campaign said it applauded Taiwan's parliament on its landmark decision.

It noted that surveys in Hong Kong have already established that the majority of the public support same-sex marriage and it urged the government to move "to the right side of history".

A recent court case saw a small victory for Hong Kong's LGBT community, with the same-sex partners of overseas workers in the SAR winning the right to be given dependant visas. A gay civil servant is also fighting in the Court of Final Appeal for spousal benefits for his husband who he married abroad.

But less than two months ago, Chief Executive Carrie Lam told a financial forum that same-sex marriage is still very controversial in Hong Kong and the city is no closer to allowing it.