Parliament accepts public draft bills on same-sex marriage, gender identity

The drafts were accepted by first deputy House Speaker Padipat Suntiphada.

The draft Marriage Equality Bill proposes amending Section 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code, which limits the definition of marriage to a man and a woman, by making the marriage law applicable to any couple, regardless of gender.

The draft bill on "gender identity, gender expression and sexuality" proposes that official certificates accept the gender that an individual identifies as.

The third draft is an an amendment to the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, specifically to define sex workers as legal professionals who are entitled to rights and freedom to work equally.

The three bills share the same goals of ensuring sexual equality, promoting acceptance and equal treatment of all individuals regardless of their genders, sexual identity, or profession, said a representative.