Happy Together
As Canada and the United States struggle with the issue of same-sex marriages, I'm reminded how far behind Hong Kong is regarding homosexual rights.
In 1991 the colony changed a law that saw even consensual sexual behaviour between males over the age of 21 punishable by up to 10 years in prison. No such law existed for females. The SAR has a five-year gap between the legal age of consent for heterosexuals (16) and homosexuals (21).
Hong Kong's gay community is pressing for basic rights as couples. It's more than the idea of marriage; opening the door to same-sex marriages would require subsequent changes in other laws and throw gasoline on the fires of debate on myriad contentious concerns.
Life would be so much simpler were everyone treated equally under the law, but prejudice and fear are formidable adversaries.
They can be combatted, however: with honesty and perspective, through humour, and with kindness.
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