Joy as LGBTQ couples in Thailand say ‘I do’ after marriage equality law finally takes effect

Hundreds of LGBTQ couples married on Thursday in Thailand as the country became the first in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex unions, with advocates saying the kingdom now has a wider leadership role to play in gender issues as America retreats from its own equality laws.

A revision to marriage laws passed parliament last year but came into effect on Thursday. That sparked a rush for the first marriage registrations from an LGBTQ community which has flourished in many parts of Thailand – but has done so without protection under the law.

From Thursday, any couple aged 18 or above can register their marriage regardless of their gender.

Now the terms “husband” and “wife” have been replaced by “spouse”, a gender-neutral term which triggers access to medical rights, types of inheritance rights and property ownership.

Mass weddings took place at Bangkok’s Paragon mall and government offices across the country, with celebrities, politicians who backed the law change and well-wishers joining the happy couples.