The Thai Parliament approved a marriage bill between people of the same sexpaving the way for the kingdom to become the first Southeast Asian country to recognize people-to-people links LGTBQ.
According to images broadcast on television, 399 deputies voted in favor of the initiative and 10 voted against, although the text will still have to be approved by the Senate before the king promulgates it.
The procedure could take weeks or even months.
“Today, Thailand took another step towards equality between people”Reacted Danuporn Punnakanta, spokesperson for the prime minister’s party.
The lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual and queer (LGTBQ) community is highly visible in Thailand, although the country is still governed by conservative laws that discriminate against homosexual couples and trans people.
The kingdom could become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex unions, and the third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal.
The proposal that the deputies approved this Wednesday seeks to replace the mentions of “men“, “women“, “husbands” and “wives” of the current law on marriage on gender-neutral terms.
If ratified, the new law will give gay couples rights regarding adoption and inheritance.
“This is a huge step for our country“Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn, spokesperson for the human rights group Fortify Rights, told AFP.
“I hope that the last stage develops smoothly, and that Thailand is at the same level as the rest of the world in terms of LGBT+ rights“added the spokesperson.
Source: Gestion
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