'Court ruling a blow to traditional family values'

'Court ruling a blow to traditional family values'

Holden Chow

Two prominent pro-government lawmakers have voiced their opposition to a court decision in favour of same-sex couples having the right to seek public housing together, and called on the government to file an appeal.



Holden Chow, a lawmaker from the biggest pro-Beijing party, the DAB, said the government must challenge the High Court’s ruling, as it might undermine traditional family values in the city.



Chow said he had received a lot of feedback and opinions against equal rights for married same-sex couples. "They have grave concern about the decision handed down today," he said.



"There is a perception and a fear within the public that the decision handed down by the court today would acknowledge ... would kind of acknowledge the same-sex marriage in Hong Kong," said Chow.



Meanwhile, BPA lawmaker Priscilla Leung said she was disappointed with the court ruling and described it as a blow to the heterosexual marriage system in Hong Kong.



“We need public discussion, not the courts, to decide on our marriage system,” she said.



Leung, who is also a barrister, said the judgement has a "critical impact" on the existing marriage system here.