Good news for the Thai LGBTQIA+ Community!
Thailand passed the first reading of the Marriage Equality Bill and Civil Partnership Bill, just in time for the celebration of Pride Month.
Some of Asia’s most prominent and outspoken lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups are found in Thailand. It is one of the countries in Asia that mostly do BL series – stories about boys love.
Four bills about same-sex unions, including the Marriage Equality Bill and Civil Partnership Bill, were approved by lawmakers in Thailand during the first readings.
The Cabinet approved the Civil Partnership Bill, which permits same-sex couples to register their partnerships. It grants the same rights as heterosexual married couples, including the ability to adopt children, manage joint finances, and make healthcare decisions for their partners.
However, a few Thai activists opposed it, claiming they didn’t want special treatment; they wanted equality.
This is where the Marriage Equality Bill comes in. They just want to amend the current law of Thailand about marriage. The bill suggests changing the terms “husband” and “wife” to “spouse” and “man” and “woman” to “person” in Thailand’s existing marriage legislation. Suppose the bill is successful in further readings. If so, same-sex couples will have access to all the same rights and benefits that married couples presently have in Thailand, including the ability to adopt children, make healthcare decisions for their partners, and inherit from their partners in the event of their passing.
The Marriage Equality Bill was approved by the Thai Parliament in its first reading with 210 votes in favor, 180 votes against, and four abstentions. The laws’ passage brings the country closer to becoming Asia’s second region to permit same-gender unions.
One of the concerns that the LGBTQ+ community has been battling since the beginning is marriage equality. They desire and deserve the same rights as other heterosexual couples.
Some Thailand stars expressed their feelings about the progress of the bill.
Among all the countries in Asia, only Taiwan has legalized same-sex unions so far.
Other POP! stories you might like:
LOOK: Couples mark 20th anniversary of world’s first same-sex marriages
15 books with LBTQIA+ stories to read this Pride Month
Japan’s Mie Prefecture passes a new law that prohibits ‘outing’ LGBT member without consent
