The Thai King has signed same-sex marriage into law, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize marriage equality. The law will take effect in 120 days, meaning the first weddings are expected to take place in January. Activists hailed this as a 'monumental step' for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand.
The King’s formal approval marks the culmination of years of campaigning and thwarted attempts to pass equal marriage laws.
The law on marriage now uses gender-neutral terms in place of “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives”, and also grants adoption and inheritance rights to same-sex couples. Another LGBTQ activist, Ms Siritata Ninlapruek, told AFP, her voice shaking: “We are all delighted and excited. We’ve been fighting for our rights for over 10 years, and now it’s finally happening.”
However, much of the Buddhist-majority kingdom retains traditional and conservative values, and LGBTQ people say they still face barriers and discrimination in everyday life.
Thailand Same-Sex Marriage Equality LGBT+ Asia
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