On Tuesday, Thailand broke the record as it became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, News About Nigeria reports.
According to the report, Thailand’s Senate upper house gave final approval of the bill allowing for same-sex marriage by 130 votes to four, with 18 abstentions.
Following the approval of the bill, there is now a change in the marriage law of the country to allow same-sex couples to tie the knot.
The new legislation now changes references to “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives” in marriage laws to gender-neutral terms.
It also gives same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual ones when it comes to adoption and inheritance.
Also, the new legislation will go to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal assent and come into force 120 days after publication in the official Royal Gazette.
According to gay rights activists who are excited about the new legislation, Thailand has now become the third place in Asia where same-sex couples can get married, after Taiwan and Nepal.
One of the activists who was also part of the committee that scrutinised the law, Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, appreciated the Senators for the change.
He said, “We are very proud of everyone involved in this historic moment. You have helped bring about a massive change. Today, love wins over prejudice.”
He further noted that they are hoping that the first weddings could be celebrated as early as October this year.
Reports have it that more than 30 countries around the world have legalised marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first to celebrate same-sex unions in 2001.
