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

  • Better Essays

    at “The Gay Rights Movement, also referred to as homosexual rights movement or gay liberation movement, is a civil rights movement that advocates equal rights for gay men, lesbians, bi-sexual, and transsexuals. The organization seeks to eliminate sodomy laws barring homosexual acts between consenting adults and calls for an end to discrimination against gay men and lesbians in employment, credit lending, housing, public accommodations and other areas of life.” Gay rights movement. (2012). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved fromhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/766382/gay-rights-movement…

    • 995 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better 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
  • Powerful Essays

    This final conflict over homosexuality is a little different from the two conflicts based on race and gender. Being an African-American or a woman was never considered a crime. But being a sexually active person with a homosexual orientation was, theoretically, a crime in 13 states until the middle of 2003. Being Black or female was never considered an unacceptable -- i.e. immoral -- state. But same-sex sexual behavior was considered "not acceptable" by most American adults until about 1998. It is obvious whether a person is Black or female. It is not obvious whether a person has a homosexual orientation. A gay or lesbian could stay in "the closet" and avoid discrimination. African-Americans and women could generally avoid hatred by restricting their behavior; gays and lesbians are often hated and oppressed because of their sexual orientation.…

    • 4676 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Powerful 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Historically, homosexuality has gone up and down in the tolerance of society, with it being highly tolerated in ancient societies, yet they faced much prejudice at other times, even just a few generations ago.…

    • 401 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory 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
  • Satisfactory Essays

    HRE 4M1 ISP Notes

    • 583 Words
    • 2 Pages

    homosexual relationships were widely acknowledged, not considered immoral or sinful but just a normal part of life…

    • 583 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Homosexuality In Canada

    • 193 Words
    • 1 Page

    Since the beginning of time, issues regarding homosexuality have proven to be very controversial grounds in society. However, there is no doubt that Canada has challenged these issues and reformed the face of its society by standing as one of the most accepting nations in the world in respect to LGBT equality. A timeline so rich in historical value since 1965 to the present day recounts Canada’s journey in addressing the needs and concerns of this topic. Undoubtedly, while many people still have polar views on this topic, it is something that is fortunately starting to be addressed and accepted more as time progresses. Many factors such as court cases, changes in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the current LGBT movement,…

    • 193 Words
    • 1 Page
    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
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The sources answer the question of how has society adapted it’s the view of gay rights over time. The sources show how in the early 1900’s, society was not accepting at all of homosexual individuals. The source “Havelock Ellis on Gay Life in the American City (1915)” talks about how homosexual people were called sexually inverse, and how they were viewed as sexual predators. It describes how many, who wear the red neckties of the inverse, are also male prostitutes. As the 20th century progressed, some movement towards acceptance was made. In the source “James Justen Recalls Growing Up Gay in the 1950s”, Justen tells of how he remained closeted throughout high school, and then came out to his parents after. He was lucky, his parents were very…

    • 173 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory 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
  • Good Essays

    Society tends to discriminate people, racial groups, genders, etc.; and it needs to change in order to have a better society. Firstly, the equality between genders will improve the way of living in society and it will help to create more opportunities of success in many different families. In the article “Empowering Women” the author says that when a woman can plan her family, she can plan the rest of her life. When she is healthy, she can be more productive. It means that when women take the same responsibilities as men it can help to plan a better way of life in the family. Secondly, the sexual orientation is producing a lot of trouble in society and if society can tolerate the different sexual orientations that exist in these days, the World will be better. In the article “Sexual Orientation Discrimination” the author says that “The extended protection developed in the Price-Waterhouse decision provides only a limited amount of protection to homosexuals, however, since many homosexuals may display societally imposed gender traits (appearing/acting "masculine" when male and "feminine" when female) but still be homosexual or bisexual” (Eisengmenger 1). The author states that the protection for homosexuals is extending and it will help to eliminate the…

    • 739 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics