Long struggle ahead for LGBTQ+ rights

Three more draft laws in the pipeline

- PORAMET TANGSATHAPORN

Thailand enacted the Marriage Equality Bill on Jan 23 this year, making it the third country in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal to recognise same-sex marriage.

But the work to recognise LGBTQ+ rights does not stop here, say lawmakers and observers.

Three bills are in the pipeline awaiting a parliamentary reading, namely the Gender Recognition Bill, the Bill on Decriminalisation of Sex Work, and the Anti-Discrimination Bill, aimed at ensuring LGBTQ+ rights and the rights of other marginalised groups under the law.

PROGRESS AND REGRESS

Assist Prof Jaray Singkhowinta, dean of the Graduate School of Social Development and Management Strategy, National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), said the issue of LGBTQ+ rights has made progress, only to slip back again.

Greece, for example, legalised same-sex marriage in February 2024, nearly a year ahead of Thailand.

Countries like Singapore, Mauritius, Dominica, and Namibia have decriminalised same-sex sexual acts, while Germany and Ecuador have passed self-identification laws for gender recognition.

However, there are setbacks elsewhere. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation was passed in Ghana, Mali, Georgia and Bulgaria.