- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Civil unions (marriage rights)
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires surgery
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Legal, but banned for minors
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- Unknown
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- Unknown
- Adoption
- Unknown
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- N/A
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (6-month deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- Ambiguous
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Public opinion in Hong Kong appears to be somewhat divided on LGBTQ+ issues, as evidenced by recent studies.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
Support for legislation to protect sexual minorities from discrimination
(Equal Opportunities Commission, 2016)
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Same-sex marriage in Hong Kong is civil unions (marriage rights).
Current status
Since Sep 5, 2023
Civil unions (marriage rights)
Hong Kong’s highest court ruled on 5 September in favour of same-sex civil unions but did not grant them the right to marry.
The Final Court of Appeal ruled that the government is "violating its obligation (...) to legally recognize same-sex couples", according to the ruling, which nevertheless rejects "unanimously the appeal" regarding the recognition of their marriage.
This ruling was eagerly awaited by the LGBT+ community of the former British colony which, for a decade, has won important victories before the courts, including the annulment of discriminatory government policies on visas, taxes and housing subsidies.
The Final Court of Appeal ruled that the government is "violating its obligation (...) to legally recognize same-sex couples", according to the ruling, which nevertheless rejects "unanimously the appeal" regarding the recognition of their marriage.
This ruling was eagerly awaited by the LGBT+ community of the former British colony which, for a decade, has won important victories before the courts, including the annulment of discriminatory government policies on visas, taxes and housing subsidies.
Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Same sex marriage registered outside of Hong Kong is recognized for immigration purposes.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Hong Kong is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Hong Kong, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Hong Kong is legal, but requires surgery.
Current status
Since Apr 3, 2024
Legal, but requires surgery
The government has announced the new policy of changing sex marker on HKID card, citing that surgery is still required in general. Applicant who have not undergoing full SRS surgery required to remove the penis and testes (for MTF) or completed bilateral mastectomy (for FTM), and required to provide medical diagonsis as long as hormonal treatment of the opposite sex throughout the period of at least two years continuously. Applicant will be required to undergo continuous hormonal treatment of the opposite sex and submit blood test report(s) as requested by the Commissioner for random checking of his or her hormonal profile.
Legal, no restrictions
The Court of Final Appeal ruled in favour of the two men and found the surgical requirement unconstitutional.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Hong Kong is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
LGBT discrimination in Hong Kong is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Illegal in some contexts
LGBT employment discrimination in Hong Kong is no protections.
Current status
Since Sep 18, 2018
No protections
There is currently is no legal prohibition of sexual orientation-based employment
discrimination in the private sector.
discrimination in the private sector.
LGBT housing discrimination in Hong Kong is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Intersex infant surgery in Hong Kong is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Serving openly in military in Hong Kong is n/a.
Current status
Since Jul 1, 1997
N/A
Since the British handover of Hong Kong to China, there has been no military force of Hong Kong with all defence activities being the responsibility of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.