Review of a law in China which makes consensual sex between two men a criminal offense (and punishable by life imprisonment) if one of them is under 21 will have a proper review.

Heterosexuals above sixteen years of age have the right to private sexual relations.

A government bid to block the judicial review of a law said to discriminate against homosexuals has been rejected by the High Court.

Judge Michael Hartmann ruled Tuesday that the judicial review process over a statutory law is a “natural route” to assert one’s constitutional rights. He set July 21 for the hearing. It is the first time that Hartmann officially endorsed the use of judicial review to challenge existing law.

Last December, William Roy, 20, was given leave by Hartmann to challenge a law which makes private and consensual sex between two men a criminal offense if one of them is under 21, punishable by life imprisonment.

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