The groups said on Sunday that the reaction from legislators was “not surprising” but the “hostility” had prompted some people to leave the city altogether.

In a paper submitted to the legislature last week, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau proposed allowing same-sex couples to apply to have their relationship recognised in Hong Kong if they had first registered it in another jurisdiction.

While the framework was in accordance with a landmark ruling by the Court of Final Appeal in 2023, lawmakers in the Legislative Council hit out at the plan, fuelling speculation that it could hit a dead end.

So far, at least 41 members of the 89-strong legislature – including those from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the Business and Professionals Alliance, the Federation of Trade Unions and the Liberal Party – have indicated their objection to the proposal.

One of the only lawmakers to express support was Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, the convenor of the key decision-making Executive Council, who has said she and five other members of her New People’s Party will vote in favour of the eventual legislation.