Lawmakers in Thailand overwhelmingly approve a bill to legalize same-sex marriage

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

BANGKOK (AP) — Lawmakers in Thailand’s lower house of Parliament overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill on Wednesday that would make the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for marriage partners of any gender.

The bill passed its final reading with the approval of 400 of the 415 members of the House of Representatives in attendance, with 10 voting against it, two abstaining and three not voting.

Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity but has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law. Thai society largely holds conservative values, and members of the LGBTQ+ community say they face discrimination in everyday life. The government and state agencies are also historically conservative, and advocates for gender equality have had a hard time pushing lawmakers and civil servants to accept change.

The bill now goes to the Senate, which rarely rejects any legislation that passes the lower house, and then to the king for royal endorsement. This would make Thailand the first country or region in Southeast Asia to pass such a law and the third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal.

https://apnews.com/article/thailand-marriage-same-sex-equality-law-9a2f9da6b5b36a1cf70dee5caec70e23

[Bev54]

1. I am surprised it has taken this long. When I lived in Thailand 20 years ago, I found a country

that was very accepting of gay and lesbian as well as Trans people. I never saw any of them make fun of or treat them any differently than others. Operations for trans people were well known in Thailand and it was a destination for many from other countries. I always thought wow, they are so far ahead of North America in their acceptance.