Hong Kong Equality Chief Won’t Pursue Marriage Equality

The leader of Hong Kong's Equal Opportunities Commission said he won't pursue marriage equality, calling the fight "impractical."

Ricky Chu, who was just appointed to his post for a three-year term, said it's just not something he expects will pass during his tenure.

"If you ask the EOC to waste resources to do something people have already said could never pass, then why would we do it?" Chu said, according to theHong Kong Free Press. "My logic is based on realistic outcomes."

The remarks came days after Taiwan became the first nation in Asia to legalize marriage equality.

But similar efforts won't go anywhere in Hong Kong, Chu suggested. He noted that when Ray Chan, Hong Kong's first out lawmaker, made a motion in the legislature seeking a study on marriage equality, it was voted down.

Chu intends to focus his efforts on protecting individuals from workplace discrimination and increasing equal access to public services and education.

Brian Leung, the radio host, said he was taken aback. Leung also serves as chief operating officer for BigLove Alliance, an LGBTQ rights group in Hong Kong.

"He continued to play defence for the government throughout the interview," Leung later told the Free Press. "You can't help but wonder whether EOC is [being] reduced to a mouthpiece under his leadership."

Leung also criticized Chu for dismissing criticisms that Hong Kong has not adhered to the Paris Principles in safeguarding human rights.

"The interview really exposed how uninformed and ignorant he is in terms of human rights issues and ideology," Leung said.