Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia have legalized same-sex marriage.
The historic move came to life after a parliamentary vote. It was hailed as a “victory” by campaigners.
The Senate’s upper house has given final approval to changes in the marriage law, allowing same-sex couples to marry. The vote was 130 in favor, four against, with 18 abstentions.
The new legislation will now be sent to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal assent and will come into effect 120 days after being published in the official Royal Gazette.
“We are very proud of everyone involved in this historic moment. You have helped to bring about a massive change,” Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, an LGBTQ activist and member of the committee that scrutinised the law, told senators after the vote.
“Today love wins over prejudice.”
The new legislation replaces references to “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” in marriage laws with gender-neutral terms.
It also grants same-sex couples the same adoption and inheritance rights as heterosexual couples.
Thailand will be the third country in Asia to allow same-sex marriages, following Taiwan and Nepal.
Activists hope that the first weddings could take place as early as October.
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