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

  • 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

    In the scholarly journal, “Sex and Gender in the 1970’s” the article used existing research to study homosexuality and why it is viewed as “deviant” and a stigma. The author conducted several interviews, of gay white male individuals in “Sun City” of whom she was friends with to gain better knowledge on homosexuality and why it has remained a secret in society.…

    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good 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
  • Good Essays

    TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Introduction 2.History 3.Societal hindrances 4.Progression 5.Breakthrough 6.Conclusion Homosexual individuals have always lived in fear of being found out, shamed and discriminated for their sexual orientation. Since the later years of the 19th Century there have existed activist movements and campaigns towards social and legal reforms. The homophile(the term ‘homophile’ was later replaced by ‘homosexual’) movement, formed and popularized in Western Europe, was a collective of activist groups which operated from the late 19th century through 1970s. During the 60s a new group, the Gay Liberation Movement, was formed in New York as a result of the Stonewall riots.…

    • 489 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
  • 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
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the chapter 8 of Counseling & Diversity, Choudhuri et al. discuss and define various essential constructs of sexual orientation, and offer a historical context of discrimination and prejudice against LGBT people. A person's sexual orientation can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or questioning, and all of these sexual orientation should be considered to be normal. However, there has been a long history of negative judgment, oppression, discrimination, and misinformation about non-heterosexuals because of its links to negative stereotypes and a diagnosis of pathology in American culture. I feel so sad to know that “homosexuality” was illegal in every state, and police often verbal and physical abuse, arrested gays and lesbians in the past. I know this is more of an experience of discrimination and oppression than I can even imagine -- I respect that they must feel so desperate and helpless. The remove of the category of homosexuality completely as pathology in the revised third edition of the DSM indeed made a great leap forward in the history since I think that homosexual should not be considered as a wrong choice and cannot be voluntarily changed or “cured”. Actually, it is not a mental illness or a personality problem at all.…

    • 730 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Good Essays

    In 1967 male homosexuality was finally decriminalised, a milestone in gay history and a big step towards equality before the law for homosexuals.This exhibition, using archives from the Hall-Carpenter Archives of lesbian and gay activism and press cuttings from the collection of the Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive, puts the campaign for law reform in its historical context, charts the progress of reform proposals through parliament and illustrates the impact the change in law had on the gay rights…

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good 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
  • Better Essays

    There are many controversies surrounding today's world, such as abortion, animal testing, and social reform issues. It seems that no one can come to a common agreement on the legitimacy of these topics. Personal characteristics, such as upbringing, culture, religion and ethnicity, all play a role in determining one's feelings on a given controversial issue. However, one of the most protested and discussed issues in current political debate is same-sex marriage. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, only hard pressed arguments expressing speculation regarding supposed outcomes, benefits and possible tribulations that would come along with the endorsement of gay marriage. Such ideas are shown in pieces of writing by Manuel A. Lopez, in "The Case Against Gay Marriage" and by Scott Bidstrup in " Gay Marriage: The Arguments and Motives." These issues both discuss and contend common controversy surrounding the gay marriage debate. After reading and analyzing each essay, it is observed that Manuel A. Lopez' style of writing and literary tone give him the upper hand in establishing a more effective piece.…

    • 1492 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays

Related Topics