Hong Kong, A Ray Of Hope

A watchdog human rights agency has condemned the Hong Kong government for dragging its heels in enacting civil rights for gays and lesbians. In a report to the government Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor says that the semi-automatons city state is lagging behind the rest of the world. "Hong Kong's poor standing on the issue of sexual orientation necessitates legal reform," the report's author, Holning Lau told reporters. In Hong Kong the age of consent for heterosexual sex is 16 but for gays it is 21. Anyone convicted of heterosexual sex with a minor is subject to five years in prison. But, those convicted of gay sex face life imprisonment. The report also criticizes the government for not have having hate crimes laws to protect gays or human rights provisions to protect in the areas of employment and housing. Hong Kong