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Hundreds of same -sex couples marry: Thailand's law comes into force
Thailand celebrates a historical moment: hundreds of same -sex couples marry today when the country is the first to recognize marriage for everyone in Southeast Asia. A milestone for the LGBTQ+community!
Hundreds of same -sex couples marry: Thailand's law comes into force
Hundred LGBTQ+pairs are on Thursday in Thailand the country first recognizes the marriage for everyone in Southeast Asia. This groundbreaking law is a significant progress for the LGBTQ+community that has fought for the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples over a decade.
meaning of the law for the LGBTQ+community
"This could be a model for the world, because Thailand is now an example. There is real equality in marriage in Thailand," said Kittinun Daramadhaj, a lawyer and president of the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, who has been committed to equality for many years
right for same -sex couples
by the last year by Thailand's parliament adopted and The king confirmed the same sex couples with full legal, financial and medical protection. This also includes adoption and inheritance law.
celebrations in the country
The Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra praised the country's success at an event in the last week, in which she invited numerous LGBTQ+pairs and activists to the government's offices. "This shows that Thailand is ready to accept diversity and to accept love in all its forms. Today shows that our country is open and accepting," she said.
Feriennies will take place on Thursday, from the eastern coastal city of Pattaya to the mountainous city of Chiang Mai in the north.
mass wedding in Bangkok
In the city center of Bangkok, at least 200 couples have registered in a popular shopping center to participate in a mass wedding, as the Bangkok Pride reports, which the event organized together with the local authorities. Rainbow flags are blowed through the heart of Bangkok, and a "pride carpet" is rolled out at the celebration for the newlyweds, accompanied by appearances by celebrities and drag queens.
a dream becomes reality
For some, such as Nina Chetniphat Chuadkhunshod, which will take part in the mass celebration in the Siam Paragon shopping center, this day feels overdue for a long time. The trans woman could not marry her friend with whom she has been with for 22 years because she cannot legally change her gender. But now that the marriage is recognized for same -sex couples, they can finally close the covenant for life.
"I feel wow, my dream is about to become a reality," said the 42-year-old in a recent interview with CNN.
The challenges of adoption
chuadkhunshod and their fiance celebrated their wedding celebration three weeks ago. During a ceremony on the outskirts of Bangkok, the two arms went along the corridor in arm, while the bridesmaids sprinkled their way with rose petals, surrounded by cheering friends and relatives. You plan to register your marriage on Thursday. "It was the proudest moment of my life that I could do it and show the world that I did it," she added.
The desire to adopt the 7-year-old daughter who has been raising for three years is particularly urgent. She is the daughter of Chuadkhunthod's uncle who cannot take care of her. "We have to adopt them and live as a family, but that is only possible with a valid marriage," she said.
health issues and legal protection
"I had tears in my eyes when we thought about our life without the law on marriage for same -sex couples. What if I, he or even my daughter fall ill? Who would take care of us?" She said. But now she can say confidently: "I can be able to start a family."
The Filipino citizen Ana Boncan met her Thai friend Siri Wattanavikij six years ago about a dating app when she worked in Europe. In 2020 Boncan moved to Bangkok to be with her. "With this possibility of legal here in Thailand, we have the chance of a spouse," said Boncan.
The challenges for other minorities
Lawyers and activists, however, warn that Thailand may remain the last Asian country for a while that recognizes marriage for same -sex couples in view of the slow progress in other regions. According to the PEW Research Center, more than 30 jurisdictions recognize same -sex marriages worldwide, with most progress being made in Europe, America and Australia.
Thailand is the third Asian country in 2019 and Nepal four years later, which recognizes same -sex marriages.
The challenge of gender identity
In Germany, the struggle for equality continues, especially for other sexual minorities such as transgender people. The lawyer Hua Boonyapisomparn from the Local Association Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights emphasizes that the next step is that the Thai government allows transgender people to change their gender identity.
In Thailand, an estimated 314,000 trans people live, according to the Asia Pacific Transgender Network. Despite the widespread idea that transgender people in Thailand are largely accepted, many report discrimination in everyday life. "Even now we are seen as a joke. They laugh and smile as they look at us," said Chuadkhunshod.
In February last year, the parliament rejected a draft law on gender recognition during the previous government. Activists are now trying to put this topic back on the political agenda. "We should take advantage of the relationship as an opportunity to open another door to gender recognition," said Boonyapisomparn.