A Hong Kong appeals court has overturned a historic decision to give equal recognition to same-sex couples as heterosexual couples.

In 2015, Angus Leung Chun-kwong sued the Immigration Department where he worked since 2002 for refusing to recognize his marriage to Scott Adams whom he married in New Zealand in 2014. Adams is a UK citizen who lives in Hong Kong and the couple have been together for 13 years.

Last year, Leung won a court battle against his former employer with the Court of First Instance agreeing that the refusal of equal benefits was unconstitutional and discriminated against his sexual orientation.

He also sued the tax department for not giving his marriage equal recognition.

But in a huge blow for the LGBTI community, an appeals court overruled the decision today. Leung also lost his legal battle against the tax department.

Hong Kong’s only openly gay legislator, Ray Chan, told Gay Star News about his disappointment with the court’s decision.

‘In my view, the judgement is too conservative and fails to uphold the Basic Law’s Article 37, as the Court argues that only heterosexual majority enjoys the freedom to marriage. Human rights should never be decided solely by the majority of people’ he said. Read more via Gay Star News