Fridae

A gay rights activist in Hong Kong is demanding seven sections of the Crimes Ordinance covering homosexual sexual activity be changed as they unfairly target homosexuals.

One of the sections hands down a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for “buggery”—homosexual sex with an underage man—while unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 warrants a maximum of five years in jail.

Yeung Chu-wing, a volunteer from local sexual minorities rights group Rainbow Action, is demanding that the High Court declare the relevant sections inconsistent with Article 25 of the Basic Law and Article 22 of the Bill of Rights, and therefore unconstitutional, the South China Morning Post reports.

“The existence of discriminatory provisions against homosexuals in the Crimes Ordinance has the effect of stigmatising homosexuals in Hong Kong and reinforcing public prejudice against homosexuals,” the application for leave to apply for judicial review said.

“This seriously affects the dignity of the applicant as a member of the homosexual community in Hong Kong and causes distress to the applicant.”

Yeung’s case comes after the Law Reform Commission completed a consultation in March on the abolition of sexual offences based on gender and sexual orientation.