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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Thailand takes step towards same-sex marriage with parliament vote

Thailand takes step towards same-sex marriage with parliament vote

Published Jun 15, 2022 06:59 pm

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand took a step towards marriage equality Wednesday as lawmakers gave initial approval to legalising same-sex unions, prompting celebrations outside the parliament building.

LGBTQIA+ activists from Fem Liberation Front and members of parliament (MPs) from the Move Forward Party celebrate the passing of the Marriage Equality Bill outside parliament in Bangkok on June 15, 2022. Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

It is a significant landmark in a Buddhist-majority country with a highly visible LGBTQ community but whose members still face major barriers and discrimination.

The lower house approved two bills that would allow same-sex marriages and also two others that would permit civil partnerships.

A committee of lawmakers will now scrutinise the bills in detail and consolidate them into two proposals, to give MPs a choice between backing civil partnerships and full same-sex marriage.

The legislation must clear several more hurdles before becoming law, but after Wednesday's vote a small but enthusiastic group of activists celebrated noisily outside parliament, weeping, hugging and waving rainbow flags.

"I am very happy and glad, it is a good sign in Pride month that there are MPs who want equaility and vote for the bills," LGBTQ activist Nada Chaiyajit told AFP.

"But there is a long way to go."

Demands for marriage equality were a theme at Bangkok's Pride parade earlier this month -- the Thai capital's first such even in nearly 16 years.

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