Bangkok, Mar 27 (EFE).- Thailand’s parliament Wednesday passed a bill that legalizes same-sex weddings, marking a significant step towards the nation becoming the third in Asia to embrace marriage equality.
The bill requires Senate approval and endorsement from the king before it becomes law.
It was passed with a majority of 399 votes in favor, while 10 voted against it and two abstained in Thailand’s lower house, dominated by lawmakers from the ruling coalition led by the Pheu Thai party.
Some lawmakers wore accessories in the rainbow colors of the LGBTIQ+ flag and celebrated the approval of the bill with applause and hugs.
The bill changes references to “man” and “woman” in marriage to general neutral terms, modifies the legal status from “husband and wife” to a “married couple,” and guarantees the LGBTIQ+ unions the same rights that heterosexual couples currently enjoy.
Once the bill comes into effect, around the end of the year, Thailand will become the third Asian country to recognize same-sex marriages, after Taiwan and Nepal.
Last year, Thai’s Lower House debated several similar bills but failed to approve any proposals before the dissolution of the legislature.
The elections in May saw the reformist Avanzar winning a sweeping victory but did not manage to form a government. EFE
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