Hong Kong to recognise overseas same-sex marriages

Hong Kong’s top court has handed a victory to the city’s LGBTQ+ community, ruling that same-sex marriage registered overseas will be recognised.

The court ordered the government to set up a framework to recognise the marriages and gave a two-year deadline to comply. Activists were hoping for a full approval of same-sex marriages.

While Hong Kong does not permit same-sex marriages, it decriminalised homosexuality in 1991.

Surveys showed 60% of the respondents showed support for same-sex marriage in 2023, up from 38% in 2013, according to a report issued by researchers at The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of North Carolina School of Law in May.

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The landmark ruling on Tuesday was a result of a 2019 case brought by Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, who is a pro-democracy activist.

(With AP inputs)