A Critical Reflection on the Responses of Hong Kong Christian Community to the Decriminalization of Homosexual Acts

A Critical Reflection on the Responses of Hong Kong Christian Community to the Decriminalization of Homosexual Acts

King-Tak IP

The Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong released the “Report on Laws Governing Homosexual Conduct” on June 8, 1983. The Commission recommended that “the law should not prohibit consensual sexual conduct in private between two males provided both are 21 or more years of age .” In June 1998, “Homosexual Offences: Should the Law be Changed — A Consultation Paper” was released. The paper forwarded three options for consultation. These options were: (1) No change to the present law; (2) Removal of the criminal penalties for homosexual acts in private between consenting adults; and (3) Reduction of the penalties for homosexual acts in private between consenting adults. After these two rounds of consultation, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong finally granted its endorsement to the decriminalization of homosexual acts on July 11, 1990. This paper is an attempt to reflect critically on the responses of Hong Kong Christian communities to these two rounds of consultation. The paper argues that even though different Christian groups supported different options, they never engaged in serious dialogue . Therefore, this paper suggests that if Hong Kong Christian communities want to respond to pressing social issues, it should set up study groups and encourage Christians to dialogue on these issues.