Same-sex marriage bill passed in Thailand: 'The beginning of equality'
A bill legalizing same-sex marriage and granting legal rights to same-sex couples has been passed by the Thai parliament.
12punto
12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS
The Thai Parliament has approved a bill that provides for the legal recognition of same-sex marriages. If the law comes into effect, it will pave the way for same-sex marriages in Thailand. The bill is expected to receive approval from the Senate and King Vajiralongkorn to be enacted.
The bill is planned to be approved by the end of 2024. If the Senate and the King grant their approval, Thailand will become the only Southeast Asian country to recognize same-sex unions.
Member of Parliament and chair of the lower house's marriage equality committee, Danuphorn Punnakanta, stated the following in parliament while presenting the bill:
"This is the beginning of equality. This is not a universal cure for every problem, but it is the first step toward equality. This law seeks to return rights to this group (referring to the LGBT community), not to grant them rights."
The new law, which was accepted by 400 of the 415 current members of parliament, will define marriage as a union between two individuals rather than between a man and a woman. Furthermore, LGBTQ+ couples will be granted rights such as marriage tax deductions, inheritance, and the ability to benefit from each other's insurance.
According to the bill, married same-sex couples would also have been able to adopt children. However, the lower house did not accept the committee's proposal to use the term 'parents' instead of 'fathers and mothers.' As approved by the parliament, the law does not include the right to adoption.
Thailand already has laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For this reason, the Southeast Asian country is seen as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly nations in the region.