Difficult for indonesia to legalize gay marriage: minister

The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of passing the bill following a final reading, with senators voting in favor. Only four members opposed the bill. The bill still requires endorsement from the king before marriage equality can become reality in Thailand, but this process is considered a formality.

The law will then come into effect days after it is published in the royal gazette. The result of the vote means that Thailand will become only the third place in Asia to allow for marriage equality after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in and Nepal in It would not only change the lives of countless couples but also contribute to a more just and equitable society for all.

Bangkok residents Pokpong Jitjaiyai and Watit Benjamonkolchai say they plan to get married as soon as the law is passed. We could never be our true selves, the way it is now… and now I can freely say that I am gay. Previous attempts to legalize marriage equality over the past decade had stalled.

But that party, which had a huge youth following, was unable to form a government when former rivals joined forces to keep it out of office.

​There’s Never Been a Worse Time to Be Gay in Indonesia

Both the future of the party and of its popular former leader Pita Limjaroenrat remain uncertain as they face a slew of prosecutions. In Indonesia, homosexual sex is not illegal except in the extremely conservative province of Aceh. In Malaysia, homosexuality is a crime punishable by fines and prison terms of up to 20 years.

The Muslim majority country that has seen a rise in conservative attitudes in recent years. In Singapore, couples in registered marriages have access to greater housing subsidies and adoption rights than single people. Japan is the only Group of Seven G7 country that has not recognized either same-sex civil unions or same-sex marriagedespite recent high court decisions that ruled not allowing same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

In other jurisdictions, campaigners have made small gains on a case by case basis as they appeal through the courts. South Korea does not legally recognize same-sex marriage but in Februarya South Korean court ruled in favor of a same-sex couple seeking equal health benefits.

South Korea has also drawn international criticism for its military penal code, which makes same-sex relations between men punishable by up to two years in prison. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. Newsroom Send an email June 20, 5 minutes read. Newsroom CNN News delivers the latest breaking news and information on the latest top stories, weather, business, entertainment, politics, and more.

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