Hong Kong's legislature votes down Same-sex Partnership Bill
發佈日期: 2025-09-10 19:43
TVB News
The Legislative Council today overwhemingly voted down the Same-sex Partnership Bill, with 71 of the 86 lawmakers rejecting it.
"I declare the motion negative."
In the second reading of the Same-sex Partnership Bill on Wednesday, 71 of the 86 lawmakers voted against it, marking the first government bill voted down by the Legislative Council after the city's electoral reform.
In 2023, the Court of Final Appeal ruled that the government must establish a legal framework to recognise same-sex relationships. The deadline to do so is October 27th.
The framework would have provided same-sex couples with four rights and responsibilities, including involvement in medical decision-making and post-death arrangements.
During the meeting, many lawmakers staunchly opposed the bill.
Maggie Chan, Legco Election Committee Constituency said, "This will affect the values, traditional families and so on. This will even rock the foundation of society and affect social harmony in Hong Kong. This will also rip the society apart."
Holden Chow, Legco N.T. North West (DAB, NTAS) said, "If the registration of same-sex partnership is passed, then it will be equivalent to opening a Pandora's box. It will unsettle our traditional family values and spark further controversy in our community."
Six members of the New People's Party voted in favour of the bill.
Eunice Yung, Legco Election Committee Constituency (NPP) said, "Some people worry that with the passage of the bill, we are recognising same-sex marriages. We are not to change the mainstream family values by introducing this bill. We are not taking a side. This is a reasonable and pragmatic approach."
Speaking to the media after the vote, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang said the government would not apply for an extension of the deadline regarding the legal framework.
He said the government had "tried its best" to pursue the passage of the bill and fulfil its obligation.
