Preview

The Social and Legal Aspects of Homosexuality in Hong Kong

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
285 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Social and Legal Aspects of Homosexuality in Hong Kong
The social and legal aspects of homosexuality in Hong Kong

In 1988, there was an intense argument on whether to legalize homosexuality. Different groups expressed their views on public discussion hold in Victoria Park. A group of homosexual men declared that they have the same contribution to the society as others. The existed law infringes on their human right. On the other hand, Dr. Philemon Choi who opposed decriminalization was afraid of the impacts of decriminalization such as the increase of male prostitution although he agreed to lower the penalties.

Besides, the Law Reform Commission had also discussed on this topic for 8 years but the progress was very slow. The main consideration was that homosexuality was not about legal issues but morality; therefore, the commission suggested loosening the law. However, it did not mean the Acceptance of homosexuality. Many people still thought some criminal offences were related to homosexuality and it was against the morality.

Moreover, Despite the relation between Hong Kong and Britain, the liberation movement of homosexual laws was restricted because of the International Covenant.

One of the options from consultation paper from LRC was maintaining the existed law. It argued that it was a waste for the police to put so much focus on homosexuality instead of other more serious cases.

What I think is totally different from the essay since there is about 20 years culture gap. People now are open-minded and more willing to accept others. The discrimination is less common in the modern society, and I hope all the people will accept homosexuality.

REF:

Louis Lee. “The social and legal aspects of homosexuality in Hong Kong” The HKU scholar Hub, (1988) 117-122,web. 9 Apr

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    * Changing social values- The Law will reflect these changing social values i.e. Decriminalisation of homosexuality and prostitution.…

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This case is a landmark in the identification of the rights of homosexuals and homosexual couples. The rights of homosexuals have always been denied and restricted on many accounts, but in recent times have already made the steps to reject DOMA. Since DOMA sates that marriage is an agreement between a man and a women, it gives no innate right to homosexual unions in federal law. By looking at history we can easily define marriage, its evolution in the eyes of state and federal law and prove that…

    • 1068 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Wilson L, 2013,’High Court strikes down ACT gay marriage law’, The Australian, 12 December, retrieved 28 April 2014, <http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/high-court-strikes-down-act-gay-marriage-law/story-fn59niix-1226781474406>…

    • 1974 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    As society evolves it grows in diversity and acceptance to which regard the legal system must change to better serve societies needs and values. With reference to this the legal system’s approaches to protect and recognise the rights of same sex couples in relation to same-sex marriage has proven to be ineffective. Whilst there has been reform through the Corbett v Corbett 1970 (One of the couple had undergone a sex change operation so the courts reformed the sex requirement from birth certificate to the…

    • 689 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Opposing Viewpoints

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Wilkins, Richard G. "The Constitutionality of Legal Preferences for Heterosexual Marriage." Family in America June 2001: n. pag. Rpt. in Homosexuality. Ed. Helen Cothran. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2003. Current Controversies. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 5 May…

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Getting married to the same gender was illegal during the 1950s. People believed that homosexuality was a mental disease that “a cure could be found through psychoanalytic treatment.” (Homosexuality in the 1950s) “Since the 1960s, however,and especially since the Bowers decision in 1986, official and popular attitudes toward homosexuals have changed. ”(The Historian's’ Case Against Gay Discrimination)…

    • 1254 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    AIDS During The 1980s

    • 1991 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The homosexual community raised up for their right when AIDS was pointed to them as their fault. Many people stood up for what they believed in for the rights of all humans. The discrimination toward the homosexuals was not only in america, but around the world. At least 76 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean “have anti-homosexual laws”(Picard). Not only did this give the community right, but those with diseases and with disabilities…

    • 1991 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Best Essays

    Before one can understand the modern scope of sexual orientation as viewed through the law, they must understand the evolvement of laws over the past few decades. In the late 1950s, the debate regarding sexual orientation gained traction in America due to a case involving Frank Kameny. Kameny was fired on the basis of being a gay man, and the Supreme Court rejected his request for a hearing. As a result, demonstrations in support of Kameny began to blossom across the country. In 1975, the Civil Service Commission reversed its policy against gays as a result, and hence a long struggle for equality began (Bauer & Kleiner, 2001).…

    • 3283 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Chapter 8 in the textbook charts information on the public’s attitude toward homosexuality has been moving toward greater acceptance. (Macionis, 2010). In the early 1970’s the views of homosexuality were on the verge of change and gay liberation movements begin. Survey conducted in 1973 over 75% of adults in the US viewed homosexual relations as wrong and by 2006 less than 60% of adults in the US viewed homosexual relations as wrong (Macionis, 2010). In 2004 gay marriages became legal in the state of Massachusetts. This made making homosexual individuals comfortable in the world in which they lived in. Other states like Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, Iowa, and New Hampshire also adapted laws for gay marriages and the number of states is still increasing today.…

    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Compulsory Heteronormativity

    • 4212 Words
    • 17 Pages

    In my opinion, only after we learn to respect all kinds of differences out of majority we are able to have liberal minds, which makes the world a better place to live for all people. That is the reason I decided to write my paper on compulsory heterosexuality. To come to main idea, my argument…

    • 4212 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    In the essay " The Case Against Gay Marriage," Manuel Lopez, a gay man himself, contests the idea of allowing gay marriage by relating it to his homosexual experience, and more specifically to the future outlook for the institution of marriage. He takes a passive but safe entrance to his essay by discussing opinion polls and common belief among young people, noting that the main reason high school students will not oppose gay marriage is due to their upbringing in a democracy that stands for equality. He mentions the central idea that gay marriage will mostly affect future generations rather than current ones. His opening, however, shows little support for most of his assumptions and claims. Aside from his lack of supporting evidence, his most notable aspect is his literary tone towards the issue. He shows no anger or…

    • 1492 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Assisted suicide is a highly controversial topic. Assisted suicide is when, upon request, a doctor prescribes a lethal dose of medication to a terminally ill patient so that the patient can kill him or herself. In other words, a doctor provides the means for a patient to commit suicide. A form of assisted suicide is euthanasia. Euthanasia is when the doctor intentionally kills the patient with the intentions of ending the patient’s suffering; mercy killing. Although there have been many Supreme Court rulings on assisted suicide and the practice of euthanasia, it is legal in some states like Oregon and Washington. The practice of assisted suicide is done under the term “terminally ill.” There is no concrete interpretation of the phrase. Therefore, the phrase terminally ill can be interrupted according to which ever definition works best for us. Assisted suicide also causes mistrust between patients and doctors, unnecessary deaths, and involuntary suicide. Assisted suicide has a profound affect on family relationships, doctor-patient relationships, and ethical standards because of the mistrust it creates and the controversy over the issue. Assisted suicide and the use of euthanasia should be outlawed everywhere in the United States, not just in some states. Because euthanasia is a form of assisted suicide, I will, for the purpose of this paper, address the terms “assisted suicide” and “euthanasia” as one practice.…

    • 2378 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Gay Rights In Canada

    • 1452 Words
    • 6 Pages

    On December 10th, 1948 the Universal Declaration of human rights was adopted by the UN with unanimous support, though eight countries refused to vote (Normand and Zaidi 2008, 178-180). This document formed the basis of the human rights regime for years to come and guaranteed freedoms and equalities. Or rather, that was the intended effect, and while it is impossible to ignore the effect the law has had the world, there are several aspects missing. Notably missing from the doctrine, was the inclusion of freedom of sexuality. This trend continues within Canada’s own declaration of rights: The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This was not without debate, as LGBT rights activists have been throwing themselves into the conversations about rights…

    • 1452 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Law Reform

    • 1985 Words
    • 8 Pages

    To achieve just outcomes, justice needs to be done and seen to be done. To do this the law must adapt to accommodate society’s changing needs and attitudes. This means that, over time, new laws must be introduced and old ones repealed or amended. The decriminalizing of homosexuality is one area in which law reform has been driven by changes in society’s values and the consequent advancement of society in recognizing equality and justice for its members, through recognition of non-traditional family structures. The effectiveness of law reform in achieving just outcomes for family members and society can be evaluated by examining issues such as the treatment of same-sex couples in adoption, recognition of same-sex marriage and same-sex couples having equal rights under the law, for example under inheritance laws, health and other insurances, superannuation entitlements and other aspects of social contract.…

    • 1985 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Best Essays

    The Gay Rights Movement

    • 3319 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Thesis Statement: The Gay Rights Movement dates back to the 19th century. By 1970 gay and lesbian organizations existed all over the United States and in other countries all over the world. Some supporters of the movement would say that our society as a whole has made great strides towards acceptance of homosexuality. However, gays and lesbians are still fighting for equality in 2009. The issues are vast and widespread, with same-sex marriage at the top of the list. In the world that we live in today one might be surprised to learn how many countries are accepting of gay and lesbians, as well as how many are not. The world has made progress within the last decade regarding this issue, but definitely not enough. We need to take steps to protect and balance Gay rights.…

    • 3319 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Best Essays

Related Topics