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Hong Kong government proposes to legally recognize same-sex couples registered abroad

On Wednesday, the Hong Kong government released an official document that proposes to establish a registration system for same-sex couples who were married or whose marriages are registered overseas.

This document, released by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, mandates that both partners must be of the same sex and at least 18 years old. Further, one of them must be a Hong Kong resident. Such a framework, if implemented, would confer certain important rights upon same-sex couples. These include rights related to the health of their partner, such as hospital visits, access to medical information and organ donations, as well as the right to handle a partner’s post-death affairs, like applying for a death certificate, claiming the body and arranging funeral matters.

Commenting on this proposed framework, the Bureau stated, “It is essential to establish appropriate registration requirements under an alternative framework that aligns with practical realities and public expectations, while safeguarding registrants’ rights and preventing abuse.”

Importantly, this government proposal comes on the back of a crucial ruling given by the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in September 2023, in the case of Sham Tsz Kit v. Secretary for Justice. Herein, the Court held that Article 14 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights obligates the government to create a legal framework to recognize the rights of same sex couples, with a timeline of two years. However, it stopped short of deciding that there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

Since this ruling, human rights groups as well as the UN have called upon the government of Hong Kong to take legislative steps in furtherance of the court’s decision. The Court of Final Appeal itself has also gone ahead to affirm the rights of same-sex couples to public housing and inheritance.

Hong Kong remains one of the few places in Asia to have created a legal framework for same-sex couples, along with other countries like Thailand, Japan and South Korea. Countries in other parts of the world, such as Poland have also recently moved to give legal support to same-sex unions.

This proposal is the first of such steps taken pursuant to the Court’s ruling, and will be discussed in the legislative council of Hong Kong on Thursday.

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Legal proceeding initiated against Russia activist amid LGBTQA+ crackdown

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Legal proceeding initiated against Russia activist amid LGBTQA+ crackdown

The Investigative Committee of Yaroslavl Oblast initiated a criminal proceeding on Thursday against Russian LGBTQA+ activist Yaroslav Sirotkin on the charges of participation in an “extremist organization,” according to local media.

According to the investigation, Sirotkin posted 14 social media posts and videos that included “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” between December 2023 and January 2024. The LGBTQA+ movement is identified as extremist and has been banned in Russia since 2023.

Sirotkin, who is considered to be a “foreign agent” by the government, left Russia in 2022. After arriving in Armenia, he opened a shelter for LGBTQ+ refugees from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus with another activist, Alexander Derrek. In 2024, Sirotkin was placed on a wanted list by Russian authorities.

Legal actions against Sirotkin are part of the larger anti-LGBTQA+ crackdown in Russia affecting both individuals and companies. In February, for instance, online platform Wattpad was fined 3.5 million rubles (approximately $44,000) for not deleting an LGBTQA+ novel. In May, an activist was also fined 2000 rubles (approximately $25) for a Pink Floyd emoji in her Telegram name.

In 2024, the fines for “propaganda of LGBTQA+ movement” totaled 25 million rubles (approximately $314,000): 71 citizens of Russia and other states and 20 judicial persons were fined, and at least four foreign nationals were deported. Recent LGBTQA+ activists affected are Nikolai Rodkin, against whom a similar proceeding of participating in an “extremist organization” was initiated, and Alexandra Kazantseva, who was placed on a wanted list in March.

In February, the first known sentence for LGBTQA+ involvement was issued when an imprisoned man was given a six-year extension on his sentence for “involving other prisoners in the LGBTQA+ movement.”

Some of the legal actions of the Russian government are countered by international bodies. In February, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found that Russia violated Article 10 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which protects the right to expression, by blocking and fining LGBTQA+ activists. The court ordered financial compensation.

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Hungary supreme court rules police ban of pride march unlawful

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Hungary supreme court rules police ban of pride march unlawful

The Hungarian Supreme Court ruled on Saturday that a police ban on the annual Budapest Pride march is unlawful since there was no legitimate goal behind the ban on the march.

The state, the defendants in this case, relied on a recent amendment to the Fundamental Law of Hungary to support their position to ban the Pride march. The defendants argued that the objective behind the ban was to protect children, echoing one of the provisions in the amendment that states all other interests and laws can be overruled in the name of protecting children. However, the court held that no evidence banning the Pride parade would protect children. Similar demonstrations had been allowed to take place in the past few weeks without police bans or interference, and it was not evident to the court how the Pride parade in particular endangered the safety of children. The case will not be referred to the European Court of Justice since the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.

The controversial amendment was passed in mid-April of this year, effectively banning LGBTQ+ public events. The amendment to the law also denies gender identity, stating that sex changes are not recognized in Hungary to protect the stability of the family and to create an environment that is protective of children’s development.

In late March, thousands of people protested in Budapest against the amendment, but after its proposal by the national-conservative political party, Fidesz, it made its way to being passed.

Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws have also been at issue with the EU. As of last week, 20 of the EU’s 27 member states issued a joint declaration accusing Hungary of violating the EU’s fundamental values through these laws and policies. Furthermore, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Fidesz have been the subject of debate in the EU for allegedly violating the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental values.

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Colombia urged to close gap between LGBT rights laws and lived realities amid rising violence

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Colombia urged to close gap between LGBT rights laws and lived realities amid rising violence

While Colombia has made notable progress in protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender-diverse (LGBT) individuals, the country must urgently address widespread discrimination and violence still faced by these communities, a UN human rights expert has warned Friday.

The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Graeme Reid, concluded a fact-finding mission across multiple Colombian cities. In his statement, Reid praised the government’s commitment to equality and its legal reforms, but emphasized the stark disconnect between institutional progress and the daily lived experiences of LGBT individuals.

“Despite these positive developments, many LGBT people continue to experience discrimination and violence in their daily lives,” Reid said. “This is particularly acute for trans women and for those who face intersecting forms of marginalization as migrants, Indigenous persons, youth, or persons with disabilities.”

Reid’s visit comes at a time when other international bodies are raising serious concerns about the broader human rights situation in Colombia. A recent report from the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances revealed that enforced disappearances remain a systemic issue—especially in regions under the control of illegal armed groups—often affecting migrants, activists, and community leaders, including LGBT advocates.

Similarly, a November 2024 report by ABColombia and Colombian grassroots organizations shed light on the disproportionate violence faced by women, girls, and the LGBTQI+ community. The report highlighted how decades of conflict have embedded gender-based violence into everyday life, with Afro-Colombian and Indigenous women particularly affected. It noted the use of extreme cruelty in attacks on LGBT individuals and the alarming number of women human rights defenders killed in recent years.

“Violence against those who stand up for equality—including LGBT advocates—is not only a tragedy but a significant barrier to progress,” Reid said. He underscored the importance of comprehensive data collection, civil society collaboration, and policies that go beyond legislation to address structural inequality and social stigma.

Reid’s full findings will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.

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Japan high court declares denial of same-sex marriage unconstitutional

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Japan high court declares denial of same-sex marriage unconstitutional

Japan’s Nagoya High Court ruled on Friday that the country’s lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. This ruling marks the fourth consecutive high court decision to declare the current government policy unconstitutional following similar verdicts in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Sapporo.

The appellants argued that the current provisions of Japan’s Civil Code and Family Registration Act, which do not recognize same-sex marriage, violate Article 14, Paragraph 1, and Article 24, Paragraph 2 of the Japanese Constitution. The appellants also sought damages of 1 million yen in accordance with Article 1, Paragraph 1 of the State Redress Act, as they were unable to marry due to the government’s failure to take necessary legislative action.

In its ruling in favor of the appellants, the court stated that same-sex relationships have existed naturally even before legal marriage, and that the societal acknowledgment of such personal relationships as legitimate is a vital legal interest tied to personal dignity, extending beyond specific legal frameworks for marriage and family.

Additionally, the court held that same-sex couples face disadvantages in various aspects of social life that cannot be resolved through civil partnership systems. These include housing-related disadvantages, such as restrictions on renting properties; financial institutions refusing to recognize same-sex partners as family members for mortgage applications; and disadvantages in accessing products and services designed for family relationships. However, the court said that although the relevant provisions are unconstitutional, the government’s failure to make legislative changes is not illegal under the State Redress Act.

This large-scale class action lawsuit, dubbed “Freedom of Marriage for All,” involves more than 30 plaintiffs and around 80 lawyers, with six lawsuits filed in five courts nationwide. This is the first class action lawsuit for same-sex marriage, as Japan remains the only Group of Seven (G7) country that has yet to legalize same-sex marriage, despite persistent lobbying from the LGBT community and its supporters.

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