Hong Kong: Same-Sex Couples Awarded Public Housing Rights
On Tuesday, a Hong Kong court ruled that same-sex couples had the right to rent and own public housing, striking down existing government policies it termed 'discriminatory in nature.'...
Facts
- On Tuesday, a Hong Kong court ruled that same-sex couples had the right to rent and own public housing, striking down existing government policies it termed 'discriminatory in nature.'1
- Upholding two previous rulings backing subsidized housing benefits to same-sex couples, the court said the Housing Authority's policies violated the constitutional right to equality, adding the differential treatment is 'a more severe form of indirect discrimination than most cases.'2
- Previously, the Housing Authority had refused the application of a gay couple — married in Canada — to rent an apartment. Later, it denied joint ownership rights to a government-subsidized apartment to a same-sex couple married in Britain.3
- In the first case, the Housing Authority claimed the relationship fell outside the ordinary understanding of 'husband' and 'wife.' In the second, it refused to recognize same-sex couples as 'spouses' or 'family members.'4
- Though Hong Kong doesn't recognize same-sex marriage, it's courts have granted the LGBTQ+ community piecemeal victories, including striking down government policies on visas and taxes.5
- Following Tuesday's ruling, LGBTQ+ activists expect the Hong Kong government to formulate an alternative framework for the recognition of same-sex marriage within three years.6
Sources: 1CNN, 2ABC News, 3LGBTQ Nation, 4Hong Kong Free Press hkfp, 5France 24 and 6The Standard.
Narratives
- Left narrative, as provided by South China Morning Post. The Hong Kong court's ruling will go a long way in easing the lives of the city's LGBTQ+ community. The government must bear responsibility for institutionalizing a more liberal approach to the rights of same-sex couples and use its power to end entrenched discrimination.
- Right narrative, as provided by Independent. Acknowledging same-sex unions as 'marriage' undermines the traditional institution in Hong Kong. It undercuts the concept of family as initiated through traditional marriages. It is important to recognize long-standing and historical values of custom and culture.
