Jakarta –

Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn signed the marriage equality bill (RUU) into law, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.

The bill passed the Thai Senate last June, but requires royal assent to become law. With King Vajiralongkorn’s blessing, the law will come into effect on January 22 next year.

The new law replaces the words “man”, “woman”, “man” and “woman” with gender-neutral terms.

The law also provides same-sex couples with adoption and inheritance rights.

Campaigners said the move was historic, marking the culmination of years of marriage equality campaigns.

“Today, we can not only write our names on marriage licenses, but we also write history,” Ann Chumaporn, an LGBTQ+ activist and co-founder of the Bangkok Pride movement, told her ‘ BBC.

“This is a victory for equality and human dignity.”

Ann said she plans to hold a big wedding for over 1,000 LGBTQ+ couples on January 22.

“[Pengakuan hukum ini] means that we fully accept it and can live life without conditions or compromises,” said advertising strategist Kwankaow Koosakulnirund.

“Thailand’s LGBTQ+ community can now look to the future, taking pride in this law,” he said.

“We are all happy and excited. We have been fighting for our rights for more than 10 years, and now it has finally come true,” said another activist, Siritata Ninlapruek. the news agency AFP.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra posted on X: “Congratulations on everyone’s love. #LoveWins.”

Former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who has strongly supported the law, said the development was an “important step” for Thailand.

“Justice and equality have become a reality in Thai society. Gender diversity will finally be accepted. Congratulations,” he wrote in X.

This law will also strengthen Thailand’s reputation as a safe place for LGBTQ+ couples in a region prone to misbehavior.

Thailand already has laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. This law has seen Thailand as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in Asia.

‘The Beginning of Equality’

Previously, the chairman of the marriage equality committee in the Lower House of the Thai Parliament, Danuphorn Punnakanta, said that passing the same-sex marriage bill was “the beginning of equality”.

“Although it is not a universal solution for all problems, this is the first step towards equality,” explained Danuphorn, when presenting the bill.

“This law is intended to restore rights to this group, instead of giving them rights.”

The new law was approved by 400 of the 415 lawmakers present. In it, marriage would be defined as a bond between two people, rather than between a man and a woman.

This law would give LGBTQ+ couples equal rights to receive marital tax savings, inherit property, and consent to medical care for incapacitated spouses.

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According to the law, same-sex married couples can also adopt children.

The lower house did not accept the committee’s recommendation to use the phrase “parents” instead of “father and mother”.

Thailand already has laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. This law has seen Thailand as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in Asia.

However, it took years of campaigning for same-sex couples to get this far on the road to marriage equality.

Previous attempts to legalize same-sex marriage have failed despite widespread public support.

A government survey late last year showed that 96.6% of respondents supported the bill.

“Yes, I was watching the parliamentary debate and hoping for the best,” said Phisit Sirihirunchai, a 35-year-old police officer who has come out as gay.

“I’m happy and already excited because this is going to happen. My dream is getting closer to being true.”

Phisit and his partner have been together for more than five years They plan to get married on the day the law comes into force.

“I feel that equality has happened today. This is a historic day for the Thai parliament that fights for LGBTQI+ rights,” said Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, a gay lawmaker from the opposition party Move Forward who has been campaigning for marriage equality for a decade who left

Several political parties promised to recognize same-sex unions as part of their campaigns before last year’s elections.

Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin has also been vocal in her support since she started last September.

In December, the lower house adopted four bills to recognize same-sex marriage, one introduced by Thavisin’s government and three others from the opposition parties.

The bills were then combined into one bill, which was approved by the lower house on Wednesday (27/03).

However, Thailand’s parliament has so far rejected proposals to allow people to change their gender identity, despite the transgender community being prominent here.

What do LGBTQ+ Muslims say in Thailand?

Alif (not his real name) who lives in Yala Province told BBC Thailand: “[Bagi] Muslim, God is our judge. Other people can’t judge us.”

Alif, 25, is an LGBTQ+ person born Muslim. Her boyfriend is also a Muslim.

“We have considered starting a family or adopting children. We want to have a family like other people,” said Alif, who supports the same-sex marriage bill.

Alif lives in an area of ​​southern Thailand where the majority of the population is Muslim, so it is not easy for LGBTQ+ Muslims to live openly as LGBTQ+. When Alif revealed his true identity to his parents, they said nothing against him.

Alif’s parents only reminded him not to engage in destructive behavior.

Alif never revealed who his girlfriend was to his family.

“Every time I have a partner, I never tell my family, only my closest friends,” he said.

Alif admits that sometimes he still meets people who do not accept him.

However, Alif is still lucky because his environment is very comfortable for him. Especially since Alif and several other LGBTQ+ people often contribute to their environment.

“[Tapi] “There are also those who have to leave their homes because their families do not accept them,” Alif admitted.

Alif himself once had an unpleasant experience when he went to the mosque for Friday prayers.

Religious teacher Alif gave a sermon at that time and the content was full of hatred towards LGBT people.

“There are [Imam] to equate LGBT people with animals,” said Alif, who admitted he was shocked.

When Thailand later legally recognizes same-sex marriage, Alif will encourage everyone to exercise their rights under the new law.

“I support the new law because the Yala Region is not 100% Muslim, but there are also Buddhists. There are also Muslim people who want to do what they want to do,” said Alif.

Alif believes that this law is important so that everyone is equal.

On the other hand, Alif understands that his gender identity and sexuality are “sin” and in his heart he knows that “this is against” his religion. However, he believes that “God” will decide.

“I pray, I hurry. My worship may not be perfect but like others, I never neglect my duties as a Muslim.

“But matters in my heart, being LGBT and having a male partner, are matters between me and God,” said Alif.

What about other countries in the region?

Thailand stands out from other countries in Southeast Asia in terms of acceptance of LGBTIQ+.

Several ASEAN countries criminalize same-sex intimacy. In Indonesia, even if the law so far has not criminalized LGBTIQ +, cases of intolerance towards minorities are increasing.

Even in the context of Asia as a whole, Thailand is also considered a minority.

In 2019, Taiwan’s parliament became the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

Nepal registered its first same-sex union last November, five months after the Supreme Court ruled in its favour.

This comes just a month after India’s highest court ruled against same-sex marriage and handed the decision to the government.

The Indian government said it would set up a panel to decide on further legal rights for same-sex couples.

The LGBTQ+ community is also fighting for marriage equality in Japan. District courts across the country have ruled that same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional.

Opinion polls in Japan show public support but strongly against the older generation and the traditional ruling party.

Singapore is scrapping colonial-era laws banning same-sex relationships in 2022.

At the same time, they also changed the constitution to prevent courts from challenging the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.

(eng/ita)