A 28-year-old gay man married his 25-year-old lesbian friend in Hong Kong on Monday to highlight the issue of unequal treatment of gays and lesbians in Hong Kong.

The bride, Yeo Wai-wai, wore a black tuxedo and sported a fake moustache; while Tommy Chen, the groom was in a white wedding dress and accompanying veil when they were declared man and wife at a registry office packed with reporters.

However, both swapped kisses and rings with their respective same-sex partners, Ken Cheung, 27, and a woman who declined to disclose her real name.

They promptly announced they had no intention of living together, having long had same-sex partners who also intend marrying in order to claim housing benefits.

Although homosexuality is legal in Hong Kong, only couples of opposite sexes are eligible to marry and apply for subsidised rental housing among other social benefits.

The sham marriage by Chen and Yeo is part of a program by Hong Kong gay rights group Rainbow to help lesbians and gay men obtain social benefits. The group plans to match up other gay and lesbian couples in a similar way.