Hong Kong’s LGBTQ+ group secured a big victory on Tuesday, as the state’s highest court affirmed the cover and estate freedom of same-sex lovers, decision against the state.
Nick Infinger, a citizen who was denied open rental housing for six years due to the fact that they were not recognized as an “ordinary family,” brought this decision to an end. After his father, Edgar Ng, passed aside in 2020, Henri Li’s case and Henri Li’s case were combined to challenge inheritance laws that forbid same-sex people.
The court rejected the government’s pertains in a unanimous decision, with Chief Judge Andrew Cheung arguing that same-sex people ‘ laws forbid same-sex people from public rental accommodation and the Home Ownership Scheme were inadmissible. The prosecutor argued that this exclusion denied same-sex couples who needed affordable accommodation a realistic chance to share household life under the same roof.
Also, the judge ruled that the existing legacy rules were unfair and unlawful, as same-sex people were not ready for intestacy rules that apply to married people. The president’s failing to defend the treatment of same-sex lovers in these legal matters was condemned by judges Roberto Fok and Joseph Fok.
Infinger expressed gratitude by waving a rainbow flag outside the courtroom, but he also acknowledged that it would take time to bring the LGBTQ+ neighborhood in Hong Kong to total equality. He expressed his hope that Hong Kong can become more equitable and fair, while acknowledging that it still struggles to protect LGBTQ+ privileges in comparison to countries like Taiwan and Thailand.
In a sincere letter to his late husband, Li acknowledged the pain he had endured over the years while still expressing hope that the fight for equality may persist. She also acknowledged the pain.
The decision follows a 2023 selection by the court that, while rejecting the legalisation of same-sex relationship, gave the government two years to establish an “alternative legitimate model” to protect the rights of same-sex people. The government must finish the same-sex people ‘ eligibility for marriage, according to advocacy groups like Hong Kong Marriage Equality, and establish more comprehensive safeguards for LGBTQ+ right.
With growing public support for same-sex marriage—60 percentage of Hong Kong residents were in favour according to a 2023 survey—activists are hopeful that the government’s future foundation will provide more strong protections for same-sex couples.
However, they remain cautious, urging the government to act swiftly in enacting meaningful legal reforms.
