So far in Asia, only Taiwan has legalized same-sex unions. (Representative)
Bangkok:
Lawmakers in Thailand on Wednesday read out four separate bills on same-sex marriage for the first time, moving a step toward becoming the second region in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
Thailand has one of Asia’s most open and visible lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities, which conjures up an image of tolerance and attractiveness as an eclectic vacation destination for foreign tourists.
But activists say Thai laws and institutions have yet to reflect changing social attitudes and still discriminate against LGBT people and same-sex couples.
Four drafts approved on Wednesday seek to provide same-sex partners with the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.
Cabinet last week endorsed two that would create a same-sex civil partnership law. Another citizen participation bill from the Democrats was also approved.
A more liberal same-marriage bill was also passed by the opposition Move Forward party, despite attempts by government whips to vote it down. The draft seeks to replace gender terms in existing laws and make marriage accessible to all people.
“It’s a very good sign,” said Chumaporn “Wadao” Tangqiang of the Rainbow Coalition for Marriage Equality, in reference to the bills’ approval.
“There should be equal standards for all sexes, be it civil union or marriage.”
The Constitutional Court last year ruled Thailand’s current marriage law, which recognizes only heterosexual couples, was constitutional, but expanded the recommended law to ensure the rights of the other sex.
The passage of the bill follows the first official pride parade in Thailand last week, where thousands waved rainbow flags and called for liberal reforms.
So far in Asia, only Taiwan has legalized same-sex unions.
Thai LGBT activists have criticized the two government-backed bills, arguing that there is no need for a special law for same-sex couples, only amending existing laws to make them more inclusive.
The four bills will be discussed by a 25-member committee, which will decide whether to send any of them, or a consolidated draft, to the House for two more readings, before royal approval before the Senate.
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