Hong Kong lawmakers are expected to vote Wednesday on whether to grant limited rights to same-sex couples, as fears grow in the LGBTQ community that even this narrow equality bid could be sunk by conservative pro-Beijing voices.

Hong Kong's government proposed legislation this summer to recognise some rights for same-sex partners, but only for those whose unions are registered abroad.

Despite LGBTQ activists decrying its limitations, the proposal drew near-universal criticism from the pro-Beijing politicians that dominate Hong Kong's legislature.

Only around a dozen lawmakers within the 89-member council have publicly declared their support so far.

"How far will Hong Kong lag behind? Today is a key moment," LGBTQ activist Jimmy Sham told AFP, noting that other Asian jurisdictions have

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