Fridae

Hong Kong’s government will appeal a September court ruling granting a British woman the right to a dependant visa in order to live with her female partner and work in Hong Kong, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. 

The department of immigration announced in early November that it is taking its case to the final court of appeal—the highest such institution in the territory. 

The woman featured in the case is known only as QT in court proceedings, and had previously been allowed a visitor visa, which does not grant residency or permission to seek employment. In its ruling, the court stated that the immigration department had “failed to justify” the “indirect discrimination” against QT.

In a statement emailed to AFP, the immigration department said it had “filed an application for leave to appeal against the judgment.”

Government representatives said that they acknowledged Hong Kong’s successful bid to host the Gay Games in 2022 and that they were “committed to promoting equal opportunities.”