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Thailand Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill, Paving Way for Historical Change
LGBTQ+ couples to gain equal legal rights, including inheritance and adoption, as Thailand sets a groundbreaking precedent in Southeast Asia
In a historic move, Thailand is poised to become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. This pivotal decision came after a decisive parliamentary vote on Tuesday, with the senate overwhelmingly passing the bill by 130 votes to four, alongside 18 abstentions.
The newly approved legislation, which now awaits royal assent from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, will officially take effect 120 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette.
Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the third Asian nation to recognize same-sex marriage. LGBTQ+ rights activists are hopeful that the first same-sex marriages will be celebrated as early as October 2024.
“Today is the day that Thai people will smile. It is a victory for the people,” proclaimed Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, a Member of Parliament from the progressive Move Forward Party, ahead of the vote.
This landmark law revises existing marriage regulations by altering references to “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” to gender-neutral terms. It is crafted to ensure that same-sex couples enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples in areas such as adoption and inheritance.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, has organized celebrations at his official residence. Additionally, a rally featuring a drag show is scheduled in central Bangkok, as reported by France 24.
Despite the bill’s approval, some activists have voiced concerns over the legislation’s exclusion of provisions for transgender and non-binary individuals, who still face challenges in changing their gender on official documents. Nonetheless, the vote is heralded by LGBTQ+ activists as a monumental step forward after years of relentless advocacy.
While Thailand has long been regarded as a haven of LGBTQ tolerance, activists acknowledge that there are still hurdles to achieving full equality. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center last year revealed that 60% of adults in Thailand supported legalizing same-sex marriage.
Globally, over 30 countries have legalized same-sex marriage since the Netherlands first took this progressive step in 2001.
As Thailand stands on the cusp of enacting this transformative legislation, it signals a significant advancement for LGBTQ+ rights in the region, reflecting a broader shift towards inclusion and equality.