‘Monogamous, heterosexual’ marriage not compromised by same-sex union framework, Hong Kong government says.
The Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill will be introduced to the legislature for its first reading next Wednesday.
“The monogamous and heterosexual marriage system” will not be compromised by a proposal to recognise some legal rights of same-sex partners married abroad, the Hong Kong government has said ahead of the bill’s introduction to the legislature next week.
The remark comes after the government proposed last week an alternative framework to recognise same-sex partnerships registered overseas, in a move to comply with a top court ruling. However, the proposed framework will not allow same-sex partners to marry locally.
“The Bill aims to establish a registration system for same-sex partnerships, so that same-sex partners can apply for registration of their same-sex partnerships,” the government said in a statement on Friday, announcing the gazettal of the Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill.
“We reiterate that establishing the alternative framework to introduce a registration system for same-sex partnerships will not compromise the Government’s established position on upholding the monogamous and heterosexual marriage system,” the statement read.
The bill will be introduced to the legislature for its first reading on Wednesday.
The government released the proposal last week, ahead of the two-year deadline set by a Court of Final Appeal ruling in September 2023 to establish a framework recognising same-sex couples’ legal rights.
