Thailand Closes In On Legalizing Same Sex Marriage

March 31, 2024
ALEXANDER

Thailand Closes In On Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

Thailand is very close to legalizing same-sex marriage, a move that would make the country the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. This week, Thailand's House of Representatives approved a bill that would legalize same-sex marriages with an overwhelming 400 out of 415 votes.

The Thai government and society are known to be conservative with old-fashioned values. Members of the LGBTQ community have reported discrimination in leading their daily lives. Lawmakers have been staunch in responding to proponent equality groups fighting for marriage rights. The bill now goes to the Senate, which rarely vetoes anything that is sent from the House, and then to the king for his endorsement. This bill would open up legal, financial, and medical rights for LGBTQ couples. The bill changes the Civil and Commercial Code wording from “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners.”

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The president of a committee overseeing the marriage equality bill, Danuphorn Punnakanta, stated: “For this law, we would like to return rights to the (LGBTQ+ group). We are not giving them rights. These are the fundamental rights that this group of people has lost."

Human rights organization Fortify Rights was quick to point out that the bill does not change "father and mother" to parent, so parental rights with gay couples could be seen as not included, although inferred.

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Thailand has been a popular travel country for the LGBTQ community and it has a precedence for leading gender-affirming health care for trans individuals. Yet, no transgender rights laws exist. About 8% of the Thai population identifies as LGBTQ, five million citizens. Sex between same-sex individuals was legalized in 1956. LGBTQ advocacy started to kick in gear in the late 90s. In 2015, Thailand enacted a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, which covered sexual orientation and gender identity. The Tourism Authority of Thailand launched a global project entitled "Go Thai Be Free" to encourage LGBTQ+ tourists from around the world and raise its profile as an LGBTQ+-friendly country. Online housing platform Netspick named Bangkok as the second-most gay-friendly city in Asia.