Commissioned by the Equal Opportunities Commission, Gender Research Centre (GRC) of the Hong Kong Institute of Asia Pacific Studies, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, is going to conduct a feasibility study on legislating against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status. The study aims to systematically identify the extent and forms of discrimination experienced by people with different sexual orientation, gender identity (SOGI) and intersex status, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) in Hong Kong. The study also seeks to explore the feasibility of legislating against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status, taking into account the perspectives of sexual minorities and other stakeholders in the society.

The research is taken up by a multi-disciplinary research team at the GRC, consisting of 9 faculty members from 7 departments of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, including Sociology, Cultural Studies, Law, Psychology, Public Health, Education, and Social Work. For the purposes of this project, ‘feasibility’ of legislating is conceptualized into 3 areas, including first, the need for legislation; second, legal grounds for legislation, and third, public awareness, attitudes, knowledge and understanding.

Mixed research methods are employed in the study, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches. They include:

1. Previous studies of discrimination against LGBTI people in Hong Kong will be reviewed;
   
   
2. Two sets of focus group interviews will be conducted with

   i) [Focus groups for LGBTI people]: LGBTI individuals with different socio-economic backgrounds;  and
   

   ii) [Focus groups for the public]: members of the public with different employment statuses, from different age groups and different religious affiliations;

3. A representative telephone survey with over 1000 participants will be conducted;
   
   
4. Local and overseas legal experts will be interviewed;
   
   
5. Three public forums for the purpose of exchanging view and focus groups recruitment will also be organized.
   

The research team is open to receiving opinions and listening to concerns from different groups who may hold divergent views on the topic.