Hong Kong: 60% support legal protections for LGBT people

Nov 10 2014
Written by Aaron Day

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

A new report has found that a majority of people in Hong Kong “hold generally favorable views of gays and lesbians.”

In the new paper, published by the Centre for Comparative and Public Law at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), 60% of the population said they agreed with ordinance that plans to outlaw anti-gay discrimination.

The report said: “Our survey found that a majority of Hong Kong people hold generally favorable views of gays and lesbians, and a majority support enacting legislation to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.

“Only 20% of the public said that they disagree with such legislation.”

83% of respondents said parents should love their children regardless of sexual orientation.

The analysis was based on a random sample of 410 people aged 18 and over living in Hong Kong, who were surveyed via telephone last year.

Last year, the chair of Hong Kong’s EOC said that while same-sex marriage remains a “contentious” subject in the region, civil unions for gay couples are a “feasible” alternative.

The British Consulate in Hong Kong is banned from conducting same-sex marriage ceremonies, despite the British Consulate in China permitting them.

Last month, Hong Kong held its sixth annual pride event with rainbow umbrellas making an appearance in “mutual support” of pro-democracy protests.