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Thailand's New Government Revives Proposal for Same-Sex Unions

Zsombor Peter

   BANGKOK - Thailand's new government has revived debate over a bill that
   would make the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex
   unions but which has split the LGBT community for falling short of
   proposing full equal rights.

   The cabinet of the then-ruling military government endorsed the bill in
   December, before the proposal stalled ahead of elections in March that
   returned the top junta leaders to power. The Justice Ministry's Rights
   and Liberties Protection Division has just wrapped up a series of
   public forums to hear feedback on the Life Partnership Bill before the
   new government presses ahead.

   Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin said at a forum in Bangkok last week
   that the bill's fate would be "decided by public sentiment," according
   to local media.

   That sentiment looks to be moving in the bill's favor.

   An online survey of more than 1,000 people via YouGov published in
   February found strong support for same-sex civil unions in Thailand.
   While 63 percent of respondents supported the idea, 11 percent were
   opposed. The rest chose not to share an opinion.

   Then in March, Thais voted the country's first four openly LGBT
   lawmakers into office, on the ticket of the progressive Future Forward
   party.

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