Kumar Bahukhandi
Thailand : Same-sex marriage: The big news of this time has come from Thailand. Same-sex marriage has been approved in Thailand. Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has given royal approval to the gay marriage bill passed by the Parliament. With this, same-sex marriage has now been recognised in Thailand. Gay marriages will be possible within Thailand in January 2025.
Thailand has officially become the first country in Southeast Asia and the third in Asia to recognise marriages of gay couples. The royal endorsement was published in the official royal gazette late Tuesday on September 24 night. This means the bill will come into force in the next 120 days.
There was a long standing demand for the right to gay marriage in Thailand. After a lot of effort in the last two decades, this bill was passed in the Parliament in June this year. The passing of this law is being described as a victory for the activists. Thailand, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, is already known for its LGBTQ culture and tolerance. After Taiwan and Nepal, Thailand has become the third place in Asia where gay couples can get married.
Let us tell you that gay marriage was legalised in Thailand only three months ago. Voting took place on this bill in the Thai Parliament on Tuesday June 18 . During this, 130 MPs voted in its favor and 4 against it.
Some MPs distanced themselves from it. Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. After the bill was passed in the Parliament, the bill was sent to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for recognition. On Tuesday September 24 , King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand gave royal assent to the gay marriage bill passed by the Parliament. With this, it will now be implemented in the country within three months.
The Netherlands became the first country to recognise gay marriage. In the year 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to recognize gay marriage, after which more than 30 countries around the world have legalised marriage for all.
What is the current status of homosexuals in the world?
After doing research on the LGBTQ+ community, the PEW Research Center said that Canada has the highest 85% and the US has 72% people who accept LGBTQ+.
After a long battle, today marriage between the same sex is legal in the constitution of 31 countries of the world including France, Germany, Belgium, America.
In India, marriage between the same sex was a crime till 2018, but after the Supreme Court’s decision, physical relations between homosexuals were removed from the category of crime under Section 377 of the IPC in the country.
According to the Mood of the Nation survey, 62% of the people in India are not ready to accept marriage between the same sex. This shows that society still does not want to fully accept LGBTQ+.
Even today, in 13 countries of the world including Yemen, Iran, Brunei, Nigeria, Qatar, couples having same-sex relations are given death penalty.
In India, the Supreme Court refused to give legal recognition to same-sex marriage
The Supreme Court refused to give legal recognition to same-sex marriage on 17 October 2023. The Constitution Bench of 5 judges had said that the court cannot change the Special Marriage Act. The court can only interpret the law and implement it. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud had said that it is the job of Parliament to decide whether there is a need to change the provisions of the Special Marriage Act or not.
The Constitution Bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Hima Kohli, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Ravindra Bhat and Justice PS Narasimha heard the matter. The verdict was delivered in turn by Chief Justice Chandrachud, Justice Kaul, Justice Bhatt and Justice Narasimha, except Justice Hima Kohli.
