Thailand's Senate approves bill to legalize same-sex marriage: NPR

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to approve a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, making it the first country in Southeast Asia to enact such a law. The final legislative hurdle has been cleared to become the first in the country.

Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusion but has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law. Thai society has largely conservative values, and members of the LGBTQ+ community say they face discrimination in everyday life.

Government and state institutions are also historically conservative, and gender equality advocates have had difficulty pressuring lawmakers and civil servants to embrace change.

Thailand will become the third country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage after Taiwan and Nepal. The Marriage Equality Bill, which provides full legal, financial and medical rights for married partners of either sex, was approved by 400 of the 415 members of the House of Representatives before the end of the last parliamentary session in April. Departed with

It passed its final reading in the Senate on Tuesday with the approval of 130 of the 152 members present, with 4 voting against and 18 abstentions.

The bill now needs King Maha Vajiralongkorn's pro forma assent, after which it will be published in the Official Gazette, which will set the effective date within 120 days.

The timing of the Senate's vote on Tuesday, the first day of the current parliamentary session, indicates the urgency to pass the bill. The legislation would amend the country's civil and commercial code to replace gender-specific words such as “men and women” with gender-neutral words such as “individual”.

But it was not passed without a hitch. A member of the Senate, retired army general Worapong Sa-Nginet, argued that gender-specific terms should still be included in the law along with gender-neutral terms. He said expelling them would be a “serious subversion of the institution of the family” in Thailand.

After the vote, an 18-year-old Pelifah Keuka Shudlad, who identifies as non-binary, took the floor and thanked everyone who supported the legislation, calling it a “force of hope.” This will help Thailand to embrace diversity more.

“Today, love overcomes prejudice,” Plefa said.

The government, confident of the bill's passage, had announced several days ago that it would organize a celebration to mark the occasion at Government House later Tuesday. The grounds in front of the main building were decorated with rainbow carpets, flags and a large balloon in the shape of two hands with a heart symbol on it. The party was joined by politicians, celebrities, diplomats and activists from the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters who rode a colorful parade of floats from Parliament after the vote.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who could not attend the event as she recently tested positive for COVID-19, posted her congratulations on social media platform X.

“I am proud of the collective effort of all stakeholders that reaffirms the strength of Thai society's 'unity in diversity'. We will continue our fight for the social rights of all people regardless of their status.”

Mokdappa Yangivin Pradoorn of the human rights organization Fortify Rights said the law's passage was a “victory for justice and human rights”.

“The Thai government must now focus on ensuring swift and effective implementation of this law to protect LGBTI+ rights.” “Marriage equality is fundamental to human dignity, and it is imperative that Thailand protect these rights without delay or discrimination.”

The Pheu Thai Party-led government, which took power last year, has made marriage equality one of its main goals. It made a big effort to identify itself earlier this month with the annual Bangkok Pride Parade, which saw thousands of people celebrate in Bangkok's busiest commercial districts.