新婦女協進會對立法會否決諮詢立法保障同性戀者平權議案表示遺憾
香港在1996年特區政府未成立以前便已曾經為性傾向歧視立法進行諮詢，可惜當時未能立法。「聯合國經濟社會文化權利委員會」曾於2001年及2005年兩度批評香港未就性傾向歧視立法是為不恰當，指出「香港特區未能禁止性傾向歧視」屬於「主要關注的問題」。
歧視是嚴重的侵害人權行為，不能姑息。人人生而平等，保障不同性傾向人士擁有平等機會只是一個政府最基本的責任。社會對同性戀人士有誤解，作為當權者有責任予以指正。所以性傾向歧視立法是香港政府的一個必須履行的責任，至於如何實施則需諮詢法律專家﹑面對歧視的社群﹑提供服務的機構及團體等各持份者，例如平等機會委員會等法定機構亦已表示支持立法，公眾人士當然亦是重要的持分者，所以進行公眾諮詢也是一個必要而且是政府最基本的施政準備。
今次議案辯論並不具立法效力，議會內部份議員不願意或不明白自己也有責任使政府履行國際公約的承諾，因而投反對或棄權票，否決了諮詢，我們對此表示非常遺憾。對於一些議員發表的言論本身對同志社群已滿帶偏見，幾近歧視，例如認為「主流社會不接納同性戀」，所以不可諮詢公眾，又或指「同志團體提出的理念破壞同衝擊家庭傳統主張」，正正顯示出立法的迫切性，假若我們今天已訂立性傾向歧視條例，至少這些公開的誹謗﹑諉過與抹黑便不能如此肆無忌憚了。
本會重申要求香港政府履行國際承諾，盡快立法保障不同性傾向人士的平等機會及基本權利，真正建設一個具多元社會價值的國際大都會。
The Association for the Advancement of Feminism expresses regret over Legco's vote against Cyd Ho's motion to conduct public consultation on sexual orientation discrimination leglsiation
In 1996 the Hong Kong government first proposed to conduct consultation on Sexual Orientation Discrimination Legislation, but no progress has been made since. Furthermore, in 2001 and 2005 the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights had twice criticized the Hong Kong government for not passing legislation on equal rights for people of all sexual orientations, pointing out that the omission of such legislation should be regarded as a major concern for society.
Discrimination is a serious violation of human rights that cannot be tolerated. All human beings are born equal and should have equal opportunities in society. It is a Government’s fundamental responsibility to protect people of different sexual orientations. Misunderstandings towards the homosexual population abound, and those in power have a responsibhility to clarify and debunk them. Sexual Orientation Discrimination Legislation will be an important instrument for the Hong Kong SAR Government to achieve this task. The implementation of such laws should be undertaken in consultation with legal experts, institutions and various stakeholders including those who have faced discrimination in the community. The Equal Opportunities Commission and other statutory bodies have already expressed support for the Legislation. Most importantly, so have the public, therefore a public consultation is indeed necessary.
The outcomes of the debate on Cyd Ho's motion does not have binding powers, but even so, the majority of the Members of the Council are unwilling or unable to understand their responsibility in forcing the government to fulfill its commitment to abide to international conventions. We express utmost regret towards those LegCo members who have either voted against or abstained from voting. During the debate on this motion, we heard remarks from numerous Councillors that are full of bias and deeply prejudiced against homosexuals. These are expressions that stem from ignorance and discriminatory attitudes and beliefs. There exists, for example, a misconception that mainstream society does not accept homosexuality and therefore a public consultation must be ruled out. Moreover, the discourse that "homosexuality undermines traditional family values" is so completely false and deeply ingrained that public discussion on legislation is in fact a matter of urgency. If Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance is now in place, such remarks - which are a form of public defamation and possible vilificaion - would not have been so reckless and unchecked.
Our aim is to ensure that the Hong Kong government fulfills its international commitment to protect equal opportunities and basic rights of all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation, and truly build an international city where diverse social values can co-exist.
