Hong Kong: Legislative Council votes against registration of Same-Sex Partnerships Bill
On 11 September 2025, the Hong Kong Legislative Council voted 71 to 14 against the Same-Sex Partnerships Bill, its opponents citing fear that it would undermine Hong Kong’s “traditional marriage values.” Hong Kong does not recognize same-sex partnerships legally but allows limited rights to couples who have registered their marriage or civil union abroad. The […]
Hong Kong: Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill to recognise same-sex marriages registered outside Hong Kong
On 18 July 2025, a Registration of Same-sex Partnership Bill was submitted to the Hong Kong Legislative Council’s House Committee and on 23 July 2025 a Bills committee was established to oversee the Bill reading and tabling process. This development comes after the government proposed a need for a system that recognises same-sex partnerships for […]
Japan: Amend laws surrounding legal gender recognition
Nine months after the landmark ruling in October 2023 where the Supreme Court struck down the sterilization requirement as unconstitutional, the Japanese judiciary at different levels have still been deliberating on the other requirements for legal gender marker change under the Act on Special Cases in Handling Gender for People with Gender Identity Disorder 2003 […]
South Korea: Supreme Court extends state health benefits to same-sex partners
On 18 July 2024, the Supreme Court of South Korea ruled that the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) should extend state benefits to same-sex partners. South Korea recognizes the dependent status under the NHIS for all heterosexual couples, including unmarried ones. The Supreme Court held that denying the same benefits to same-sex couples constituted discrimination […]
Press Statement: South Korea: Extend state benefits to same-sex partners, ILGA World and ILGA Asia tells the Supreme Court
The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) of South Korea should extend state benefits to same-sex partners, ILGA World and ILGA Asia said in a joint amicus curiae brief filed before the country’s Supreme Court. The global federation of organizations working to advance the human rights of LGBTI people, and its region working across Asia intervened […]
HONG KONG: ILGA Asia and Transgender Equality HK welcomes policy revision of gender marker amendment in accordance with top court ruling
Human and Arts: Joya (Hong Kong)
In celebration of International Women’s Day and as part of our Human and Arts Series, we would like to introduce you to Joya! Hailing from Hong Kong, Joya is a multi-faceted, multilingual, up-and-coming singer and songwriter. Her music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and more. She and her music have been featured […]
🏳️🌈 Taiwan makes history: Huang Jie secures spot as Taiwan’s first openly LGBTIQ legislator
🏳️🌈 Taiwan makes history! 🎉 Huang Jie, a proud LGBTQ+ advocate, secured a landmark victory, becoming Taiwan’s first openly LGBTIQ legislator. Representing the Democratic Progressive Party, she triumphed in Kaohsiung’s 6th District, marking a significant step for LGBTIQ representation in the nation. Read more here: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5078074
Japan: Supreme Court Strikes Forced Sterilization Requirement for Gender Recognition in Landmark Victory for Transgender Rights
On 25th October 2023, the Supreme Court of Japan ruled that requiring transgender persons to undergo sterilization surgery, in order to legally change their gender markers, is unconstitutional. The landmark decision represents a significant step towards the recognition of transgender rights in Japan, which has otherwise been heavily criticized for its abusive and outdated laws on gender identity. […]
ILGA Asia Welcomes Historic Legal Recognition for Same-Sex Couples in Hong Kong, Emphasizes Ongoing Pursuit of Full Equality
11 September 2023 ILGA Asia welcomes the recent verdict delivered by the Court of Appeal (COA) in Hong Kong. The ruling, affirming legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, is a historic milestone in the advancement of LGBTIQ rights in the region. On 5th September 2023, the COA directed the city government to establish a legal framework for the […]
ILGA Asia applauds Hong Kong court’s ruling on legal gender recognition and calls for immediate implementation
18 March 2023 ILGA Asia applauds the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong for its ruling on 6 February that mandatory “full sex reassignment surgery” for transgender men seeking to change their legal gender marker on national ID cards is unconstitutional for being a violation of the right to privacy protected under the Bill […]
Joint Letter to South Korea’s National Assembly Calling For the Immediate Passage of a Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Law
December 20, 2021 National Assembly of the Republic of Korea1 Uisadang-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07233Republic of Korea Re: Protect marginalized groups in South Korea Dear members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and other members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea: On behalf of the 30 signatory organizations to this letter, we are […]