As June marks Pride Month, Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin, EOC Chairperson recently reaffirmed in a series of media interviews that it is no longer a debatable question whether Hong Kong needs to introduce legislation to provide for protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status. What requires further dialogue within the community is, rather, the substantial elements of that law.

Speaking to The Standard and RTHK Radio 1, Mr Chu said that the EOC had begun putting together a proposal for legislation focused on key areas of public life, including employment, education, access to goods, services or facilities, and renting of premises. The EOC hopes to carry out its first round of discussions with stakeholders on the proposal by the end of 2021.

Currently, Hong Kong’s anti-discrimination ordinances only provide for protection against discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, family status and race. In 2016, the EOC released a report of a research study commissioned to The Chinese University of Hong Kong, which provided a detailed comparison of legislative models in other jurisdictions aimed at protecting the LGBTI community from discrimination, while identifying key issues worthy of further discussion in Hong Kong. These include the scope of applicable domains, possible exemptions relating to religious organisations and domestic work, and whether acts of harassment and vilification should be covered as well.

• Read Mr Chu’s interview with The Standard
• Listen to Mr Chu’s interview on RTHK Radio 1
• Watch Mr Chu’s interview about the Gay Games on TVB Pearl's Staight Talk
• Download the 2016 report