Lack of legal protection is driving sexual minorities out of Hong Kong
The city still has no comprehensive legislation against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, despite a marked shift in favour among the public
In his chief executive election declaration, John Tsang Chun-wah said that a great Hong Kong means a place where people can lead happy lives and see it as a home for generations to come.
He explained that one of the reasons why he was running for election was that he wished to change people’s intention to emigrate, which is a sentiment that is increasingly felt among Hongkongers these days.
There are many “push factors” for emigration besides the broader political climate and economic reasons. In particular, the lack of legal protection can also propel a certain minority group to emigrate.
For example, in migration and sexuality research, “sexual migration” – international relocation that is motivated, directly or indirectly, by the sexuality of those who migrate – is a recognised phenomenon.
What John Tsang and other candidates may not recognise is that a sizeable proportion of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people are considering emigrating from Hong Kong because of the lack of legal protection.