Thailand could become the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex civil partnerships

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By  Gogo
2020/07/09 10:00

Today's Vocabulary

1. potential (adj.) 
possible when the necessary conditions exist

2. ratify (v.)  
(especially of governments or organizations) to make an agreement official

3. endorse (v.)  
to make a public statement of your approval or support for something or someone

4. inheritance (n.)  
a physical or mental characteristic inherited from your parents, or the process by which this happens

5. jointly (adv.)  
in a way that belongs to or is shared between two or more people

6. asset (n.)  
something valuable belonging to a person or organization that can be used for the payment of debts

7. milestone (n.)  
an important event in the development or history of something or in someone’s life

8. discrimination (n.)  
treating a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin colour, sex, sexuality, etc.

9. prejudice (n.)  
an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge

10. stigma (n.)  
a strong feeling of disapproval that most people in a society have about something, especially when this is unfair

Thailand could become the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex civil partnerships

news-world-tailand

Thailand’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft bill that will legally recognize same-sex civil partnerships and give greater rights to same-sex couples, a potential first for any nation in Southeast Asia if passed into law.

If ratified by parliament, it would make Thailand only the second place in Asia to allow for the registration of same-sex unions after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage last year.

While it doesn’t go as far as endorsing same-sex marriage, the Civil Partnership Bill allows same-sex couples to legally register their union, a significant move in what remains a largely conservative nation. Under the draft bill, same-sex couples can adopt children, claim inheritance rights, and jointly manage assets such as property for the first time.

Ratchada Thanadirek, a deputy government spokesperson, said it was a “milestone for Thai society in promoting equality among people of all genders.”

Outwardly, Thailand has a reputation for being friendly toward gay, lesbian, and transgender people — especially when compared to some of its Southeast Asian neighbors — but the reality is often different.

There are laws that prohibit discrimination but many local LGBTQ people say they regularly face prejudice and even violence. Thailand is a conservative society and there is a stigma associated with going against traditional family values. Often gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer people are limited to working in the entertainment industry or feel they must hide their sexual orientation at work.

Discussion

1. Do you agree in the same sex marriage?

2. Do same-sex couples make fit parents?

3. Should same sex couples be allowed to adopt?

4. Why is marriage so important?

5. About this topic, if your parents have different opinions with you, what will you do?

“Love has no age, no limit; and no death.”

John Galsworthy

“Love should never mean having to live in fear.”

DaShanne Stokes