A lesbian expatriate on Monday won a landmark appeal against the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s refusal to grant her a spousal visa, in a ruling that could pave the way for other gay partners to join their loved ones in the city.

The Court of Appeal’s decision means that the woman, known as QT, who initiated the judicial review after failing to secure a dependant visa through her same-sex partner, will now be able to get the same immigration documents previously only granted to heterosexual couples.

In their 68-page judgment, reached unanimously, three appeal court judges said the department had failed to demonstrate the visa scheme had been put in place rationally. Read more via South China Morning Post