Photo by Karl Schultz via Flickr Creative Commons
Thailand’s cabinet approved a draft bill that will legally recognize same-sex unions, but some of the LGBTQ community say the bill means more obstacles toward same-sex marriage not gender equality, according to CNN.
The Civil Partnership Bill was approved on Wednesday. The bill does not use the term marriage, and instead uses terms like partnership and couple. The draft bill allows same-sex couples to register their union, adopt children, claim inheritance rights, and jointly manage assets.
CNN reports, couples must be at least 17 years old and at least one of the couple has to be a Thai citizen to be eligible to register. People younger than 17 years old need permission from their parents or their legal guardian.
The bill does not approve of same-sex marriage, and does not offer the rights and benefits that married couples have. This includes tax exemptions, social security benefits, and medical rights.
Deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Dhnadirek said, “[The bill] is a milestone for Thai society in promoting equality among people of all genders. This strengthens the families of people with sexual diversity,” according to New York Times.
The LGBTQ community in Thailand is not optimistic about the Civil Partnership Bill, according to CNN.
Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, the first trans member of parliament under the Move Forward Party (MFP), told CNN “This is another form of discrimination in disguise. We don’t want anything special we just want to be treated like others.”
MFP will campaign to amend Thailand’s marriage laws by using the terms “husband and wife” and “married partner” to include all gender identities.
Taiwan is currently the only country in Asia to legally allow same-sex marriage. If the Civil Partnership Bill is ratified, Thailand will be the second country in Asia to legally recognize same-sex partnerships.
After passing the Thai cabinet, the Civil Partnership Bill awaits a public hearing, a vote in the House of Representatives, and then a vote in the Senate.
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Photo: Taiwan pride sit-in courtesy: Daniel M Shih; Pride flag courtesy: Karl Schultz