What Thailand’s Passing Of Same-Sex Marriage Bill Means for The Philippines

Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to pass a Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Just in time for Pride Month, Thailand passed the Same-Sex Marriage Bill. They are the first Southeast Asian country to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. This culminated after several discussions by the Thai public, particularly the LGBTQIA+ community with lawmakers.

With the passing, LGBTQIA+ members in Thailand can finally marry and make their relationship official. Although there are some still resistances from certain sectors, it’s a step to inclusivity for the Thai LGBTQIA+ community.

The passing in Thailand followed that of Taiwan back in 2019. With these two countries recognizing same-sex marriage, what can the Philippines learn from it?

The Struggle to Pass the SOGIE Bill

For 23 years, the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines has been lobbying to pass the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) bill, which aims to provide community members with their rights and protection and address these issues. However, this has been bypassed several times at the House of Representatives and Senate.

There has been some progress in 2022 with the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill through the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality. But it has faced delaying tactics despite support. Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is one of the authors of the bill and an ally of the community continues to fight for its passage.

LGBTQIA+ advocates have been urging the government to certify the SOGIE bill as urgent. But like the Divorce Bill, another controversial issue in the Philippines, it has yet to be part of the administration’s important agenda.

Quezon City Pushes for Inclusivity Via Right to Care Card

Last year, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte introduced the Right to Care Card, allowing partners of the LGBTQIA+ to make decisions when one gets sick. This Right to Care Card is the first in the country and many same-sex couples in Quezon City have applied for it.

As of June 22, 2024, around 171 couples have attended one of many orientations organized by the QC gender and development office (GAD) with 116 couples getting their Right to Care Card. About 24 more couples got their copy of the card during the Love Laban celebration last June 23.

On top of the Right to Care Card, Quezon City has been in the forefront of the fight for inclusivity, with an anti-discrimination ordinance. This came into light following an incident of a transgender woman who was barred from entering the women’s washroom in a mall in 2019. The ordinance has been active since 2014.

The Fight Continues

While the SOGIE Bill continues to be delayed and the chances of a Same-Sex Marriage Bill still far from being passed in the Philippines, the community remains in fighting for their rights. Ice Seguerra and Liza Diño, one of the most recognizable faces of the community told Modern Parenting back in February that while there has been progress, there is still a long way to go.

“As an LGBTQIA+ couple, despite the challenges that we face, it’s important for us to step up. In the sense that we have to make sure that the government sees us,” he continued. “These kinds of relationships exist.”

“We have to assert because we have rights. We have rights—the right to love, live, and have a family. It’s a human right.”

Liza for her part believes that their family can be an example to other couples.

“Being open and transparent about our family’s situation is crucial, and we’re grateful to have platforms to share our experiences,” Liza declared. “Our hope is that someday, our government will listen and grant us the same rights as conventional families.”

Will the day come when the Philippines will be more open? There is progress and while Thailand has different values and culture, one thing is for sure – the fight for partnership between same-sex couples will continue.

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