A transsexual who plans to marry her boyfriend in church after winning a legal battle on Monday said yesterday her victory was an answer from God that she "did not choose a wrong path".
The former man identified only as "W" was speaking as the government sought legal advice on the implications of the Court of Final Appeal ruling that a "post-operative male-to-female transsexual person" must be included within the meaning of "woman" and "female" in marriage law.
Speaking on radio yesterday, W said she had asked herself all along whether the path she had chosen "was not permitted by God".
But in Monday's ruling, "God gave me the answer, and the answer is: it is not a wrong path".
God gave me the answer, and the answer is: it is not a wrong path
She said she was planning to hold her wedding in a "dreamy church" and places where she would look pretty in her bridal gown for photos.
The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong said yesterday it was not ready to comment on Monday's ruling.
But conservative Christian group the Society for Truth and Light said the court ruling should not be treated as God's will and many churches would be unwilling to allow W to celebrate her marriage there.
"It would be very dangerous to believe any door being opened would mean it is God's will," general secretary Choi Chi-sum said.
The Security Bureau said the court had invited the parties to the appeal to lodge submissions in writing by June 3 about orders that needed to be made in light of the judgment.
"We are studying the judgment carefully and will make submissions to the court in due course," a spokesman said.
Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said it was "quite a complicated case and we have to seek further legal advice on how best to proceed".
W said she had yet to decide who would be invited to her wedding as some of her relatives did not know of her situation.
"I hope my parents do not have to explain it to them or come under any pressure," she said.
She said her parents had given her full support "all the way".
"I am a very introverted and shy person. [My parents] have been very protective."
They had initially tried to change her after noticing her "inclination". "But my tears and the guidance of God have told them my needs. I feel I am blessed," she said.
Choi said Monday's ruling, in giving transsexuals a clear identity, was good for both the community and the litigant, even if those benefits did not extend to the issues of marriage.
He said he believed most churches did not support sex change and some even opposed it, and would be unlikely to hold religious marriage rites for transsexuals.
Meanwhile, Joseph Cho Man-kit and several representatives of the Hong Kong Queer Alliance, a grouping of 18 advocacy groups for transgender and homosexual rights, met Equal Opportunities Commission chairman York Chow Yat-ngok. Cho said the commission was "on the same page" as advocacy groups about an ordinance protecting those with different sexual orientation and gender identity.