Hong Kong court rules in favour of same-sex couples seeking visa rights
July 4, 2018The Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong has today ruled in favour of a British lesbian, known as QT, seeking the same visa rights as heterosexual couples. QT married her partner in a UK civil partnership two years ago, but was denied a dependant visa when she and her partner moved to Hong Kong in 2011. While QT’s partner has been able to work, QT has had to stay in the country on a tourist visa with no access to residence or subsidized public hospital services.
Upon hearing the verdict QT said in a public statement: “Today’s ruling by the Court of Final Appeal affirms what millions of us in this wonderful and vibrant city know to be true, that discrimination based on sexual orientation… is offensive and demeaning – it offends against Hong Kong’s core values and undermines the rule of law.”
The case has drawn much media attention and has the potential to set precedence for other foreign national same-sex couples.
Ray Chan, Hong Kong’s first openly gay legislator, said the result will have far reaching consequences: “The LGBT community, with myself included, is elated today over the Court of Final Appeal’s judgement today. It is a milestone in the history of LGBT equality in Hong Kong. This decision will change the lives of many Hong Kong–international couples who are now separated or inconvenienced by the discriminatory policy.
“It is an opportune moment to institute a civil union in Hong Kong and to conduct a sweeping policy review. No same-sex couples should be excluded from enjoying certain rights, and that’s the standard set by Hong Kong’s highest court.
“Luckier LGBT couples may have the resources to go overseas to get married. A few courageous and determined LGBT citizens, such as QT in this case, went through a mentally and financially draining legal process to fight for themselves and many others.”