The parliament in Thailand has adopted a marriage equality bill, bringing one of Asia’s most liberal countries closer to becoming the third to legalise same-s*x relationships.
On Wednesday, March 27, 400 of the 415 parliamentarians present approved the measure, with only 10 voting against it, and Thailand could join Taiwan and Nepal in permitting same-s*x unions.
“We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality,” Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee on the draft bill, told lawmakers ahead of the reading.
“I want to invite you all to make history.”
The bill’s passing is an important step towards reinforcing Thailand’s position as one of Asia’s most liberal countries on lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender issues, where openness and progressive attitudes coexist with traditional, conservative Buddhist beliefs.
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Thailand has long been a popular destination for same-sex couples, with a robust and visible LGBTQ social scene for both natives and expats, as well as specialised marketing campaigns to attract LGBTQ visitors.
However, rights campaigners have long claimed that the country’s laws and institutions fail to reflect evolving social attitudes and continue to discriminate against LGBTQ people and same-s*x couples.
The legislation agreed on Wednesday combines four different draft measures and recognises marriage between two people, regardless of gender, rather than a husband and wife, as previously described.
During Wednesday’s debate, LGBTQ advocates on the parliamentary committee unsuccessfully pushed to alter the terms “father” and “mother” to the gender-neutral “parent” in references to the family unit, to avoid problems in situations such as adoption.
“I’m happy indeed but this isn’t a full marriage equality, it is only same-s*x marriage,” Nada said. “The right to marriage has been granted but not the full right to family establishment.
“It is a shame that we didn’t go the full way.”
Nada Chaiyajit, an LGBTQ advocate and law lecturer at Mae Fah Luang University, said the bill’s passage was a welcome move, but several concerns remained unaddressed.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
