Thailand Legalizes Gay Marriage, Hundreds Get Married

Thailand Legalizes Gay Marriage, Hundreds Get Married

As gay marriage in the US may be on the chopping block, Thailand officially became the first nation in Southeast Asia and the third in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage. The law was actually passed last June by a whopping vote of 130 to 4 but was put into effect this last Thursday. To commemorate the day, hundreds of queer couples tied the knot with a variety of styles and sizes of ceremonies.

 

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Under the new law, same-sex couples in Thailand will receive equal rights as it pertains to legal, medical, financial, inheritance, and adoption issues. Also, the law will incorporate gender-neutral verbiage as opposed to binary. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra proudly posted to social media that the rainbow flag was flying high. She also made an official statement: “This marriage equality law marks the beginning of Thai society’s greater awareness of gender diversity, and our embrace of everyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, or religion — our affirmation that everyone is entitled to equal rights and dignity."

 

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Thailand has become the third nation in Asia to celebrate same-sex marriages. Taiwan paved the way in 2019, and Nepal in 2023. This bill makes Thailand LGBTQ+ history the first one created by queer activists that has resulted in a law change.

 

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Queer activists in the nation say that this is the first step on a long journey that Thailand still has to go when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. Trans rights are still an issue. While trans members are included in the same-sex law, there is still limited access to gender-affirming care as well as parenting rights. Queer advocates have put together the Gender Recognition Act that, if passed, will allow citizens to change their gender identity on official government documents.

As a place for tourists, Thailand has always been seen as very LGBTQ-friendly with Pride parades, trans beauty pageants, and nightclubs, queer residents of the nation say that harassment and aggression are commonplace. The younger generation is given credit for being a major part of queer rights. In 2020, protests and petitions became commonplace in Thailand, supported by LGBTQ and feminist groups, insisting on policy changes in the government.

 

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Perhaps this major law change in Thailand will inspire other countries where same-sex marriage is still illegal. Hopefully, the world view towards the queer community is progressing, even in the face of so much political opposition.

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