Gay weddings mostly held behind closed doors in Hong Kong

— It was a day Alvin Chan and his partner C.P. So had never imagined possible — despite the pressures and prejudices.

It was he who officiated at the ceremony, where the couple wore matching blue suits and red bow ties, exchanged rings and kissed, cementing seven years together.

Pang belongs to the Hong Kong-based Blessed Ministry Community church, which he describes as Asia’s first gay-friendly Christian group.

He issues marriage certificates recognized by some Christian groups and says he wants to ensure LGBT people feel equal in society.

“The road they’ve walked has been difficult, and I think society has a responsibility to listen to gay people,” he told AFP.

Pang says he has married more than 50 gay couples in Hong Kong, now conducting one or two same-sex weddings each month, up from just one in 2015.

Homosexuality was only decriminalized in Hong Kong in 1991, and despite a vibrant gay scene and an annual pride parade, conservative attitudes still run deep in Chinese traditions.

Outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation has been proposed in the city’s legislature, but is yet to materialize.

The Hong Kong government is currently appealing a landmark court decision to grant a British lesbian the spousal right to live and work in the territory.

Taiwan last year became the first country in the region to allow legal recognition for same-sex marriages, but critics say Hong Kong is a long way behind.

“Our government doesn’t want any change,” said Hong Kong’s first openly gay lawmaker Ray Chan at a weekend rally ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), celebrated globally on May 17 to raise awareness of LGBT rights.

“Unless they lose a legal battle — until the very end, at the court of final appeal — only then will they make concessions,” he said.

Roger Wong, an outspoken anti-LGBT activist says the government has no reason to give legal recognition to gay marriage or help LGBT people unless the public supports it.

“Gay marriage should only happen if 100 percent of the general public accepts it,” Wong told AFP.

“I really don’t think it will happen.”

So and Chan say they feel society is changing, but that there is a long way to go before members of the LGBT community feel safe to celebrate same-sex relationships openly in public.

Chan says LGBT people need to come out to their family and the public “to show them that gay people exist” if they are to gain acceptance in future.

So and Chan say getting married was not just a special day for them, but was also about being role models.

“Hong Kong, because of its Christian values or traditional mindset, is going back from becoming a more free society,” said Chan.