BEIJING (AP) — LGBT activists in China are seeking to legalize same-sex marriage through a novel tactic: submitting opinions on a draft new civil code to the country’s legislature.

It’s one of the few options available as space for civil society and advocacy has shrunk. Human rights activists and their lawyers have been detained and internet censorship has grown.

Activists acknowledge that marriage equality is still far off, but say the opinions will push the government to take the demand more seriously.