The rainbow pride flag waves triumphantly over Bangkok, to celebrate the victory after more than 20 years of battle.
Naruemit Pride, along with the civil society working group on Marriage Equality and civil society allies, organized the "Rally around Bangkok: Celebrating Marriage Equality" Celebration of Love, where they wave the rainbow pride flag to declare a historic victory for LGBTQIAN+. celebrating the successful passage of the Marriage Equality bill after the Senate voted to approve the draft Marriage Equality bill (the draft bill to amend the Civil and Commercial Code B.E. ?) after more than 20-year wait for genders to be able to legally get married on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. They will also proceed with the registration of equal marriages for more than 1,000 couples, the first in history, in October 2024 after waiting 120 days for the signing in the Royal Gazette.
Pride Month June 2024 is a month of celebration, pride month, and a month of history, the victory of equal marriage for LGBTQIAN+. The activity "Rally across the city, celebrating equal marriage" will start at the parliament from 10.00 a.m., with more than 100 people from the public sector giving a press conference about their readiness to join the consideration of equal marriage in the Senate.
- 12.00 p.m. Senate vote consideration for the marriage equality bill
- 15.00 p.m. Voices of gratitude from the People towards political party representatives (in the Parliament hall)
- 16.00 p.m. Head to Government House to participate in the "Equal Marriage" event, endorsed by Prime Minister "Mr. Srettha Thavisin"
- 18.00 p.m. Head to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
To join the "Marriage Equality: People's Victory" event, celebrating the triumph of marriage equality and unveiling the "Marriage Equality" symbol in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. The activities on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, will showcase the success and cooperation of the public in the fight for rights and gender equality. The passing of the Marriage Equality bill marks a significant step towards recognizing and supporting gender diversity in Thai society. It represents a major stride in creating a truly just and equitable society, promoting Thailand as an inclusive society that embraces differences in all aspects.
The persistent fight of the public over the years has driven significant policy changes, leading to fairness and equality at all levels of society. The atmosphere of celebration, both within the Government House and in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, is filled with the excitement and joy of supporters of the Marriage Equality Act, the LGBTQIAN+ community, drag queens, actors, LGBTQIAN+ couples, influencers, and over 1,000 notable figures in politics. Together, they proudly wave the rainbow pride flags to proclaim to the world the "equality" and gender equality in Thailand.
Waddao - Ann Chumaporn, the President and Founder of Naruemit Pride, and the organizer of the "Bangkok Pride Festival 2024," as well as a key figure in advocating for this bill, said, "The success in pushing for the Marriage Equality bill is just the beginning of creating an equal society and respecting gender diversity. The 'Marriage Equality: The People's Victory' event marks a significant triumph for marriage equality and the LGBTQIAN+ community. Today is the most important day, the day we have long awaited. Activists before us have been fighting for family establishment for over 20 years, but the intensity began around 2017, about seven years ago, when we firmly stood by the concept of marriage equality and pushed for the enactment of a marriage equality law in Thailand. It's crucial for all forms of partnerships and all genders. Personally, I believe that family law should not be limited to just male or female genders.
Today, we do not know the exact number of LGBTQIAN+ couples waiting for this law to become official, but we believe there are many who seek equal acceptance and space. We are confident that once the marriage equality law is passed, everyone will proudly express their identities. Judging by the event at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre today, there are up to 1,000 participants, including Thais and foreign tourists. Nationwide, it is estimated that at least 10,000 people are celebrating this victory with us today."
However, on this important day (June 18, 2024), Narumit Pride, along with over 100 members of the public, including six LGBTQIAN+ couples, will lead a march with a large rainbow pride flag to the Parliament to participate in the Senate's deliberation on marriage equality. The couples leading the march are:
They will carry a large rainbow pride flag to the Parliament to join in the Senate's consideration of the Marriage Equality Act.
Today will be a historic day as the LGBTQIAN+ community celebrates the victory of marriage equality, with legal rights recognized for all genders. On June 18, 2024, the Senate will convene to deliberate on the Marriage Equality Act, with expectations of approval in the second and third readings. If the Senate votes in favor, it will signify the "Victory of Marriage Equality" in Parliament. According to the law, after passing Parliament, it will await publication in the Royal Gazette and marriage registration can be done within 120 days.
Therefore, today, Naruemit Pride is organizing the "Historic Day: Victory of Marriage Equality'' event. Besides listening to the deliberations, they are also ready to rally to the Government House for the official "Marriage Equality Celebration." The highlight of the event will be the bouquet toss by six LGBTQIAN+ couples at the Government House, a first in Thailand. Afterward, a rally parade will take place around the capital, ending at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre for a grand celebration and the official unveiling of the "Marriage Equality Symbol" at the front of the Centre. This symbol will be displayed throughout Pride Month in June 2024.
Waddao - Ann Chumaporn concluded, "This is a monumental achievement that we, the LGBTQIAN+ community, have been striving for over many years. It's an official celebration of success from all sectors. I am thrilled that our voices have been heard and that we have succeeded today. We have been able to bring about equality in Thailand. This expression of success and the cooperation of the people in fighting for rights and gender equality marks a significant step in recognizing and supporting gender diversity in Thai society. It is a major stride in creating a truly just and equitable society. It also promotes Thailand's progression towards becoming an open and accepting society in all aspects. The persistent struggle of the public over the years has driven crucial policy changes, leading to fairness and equality at every level of society."