Which asian country recently legalized gay marriage
Marriage Equality Around the World
The Human Rights Campaign tracks developments in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage around the world. Working through a worldwide network of HRC global alumni and partners, we lift up the voices of community, national and regional advocates and share tools, resources, and lessons learned to strengthen movements for marriage equality.
Current State of Marriage Equality
There are currently 38 countries where same-sex marriage is legal: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay.
These countries have legalized marriage equality through both legislation and court decisions.
Countries that Legalized Marriage Equality in 2025
Liechtenstein: On May 16, 2024, Liechtenstein's government passed a bill in favor of marriage equality. The law went into effect January 1, 2025.
Thailand 'makes history' as first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage
Thailand's senate has voted to approve a marriage equality bill - clearing the last legislative hurdle for the country to become the first in Southeast Asia to recognise lgbtq+ couples.
It follows two decades of campaigning by activists who hailed the travel a "monumental step forward".
The bill - which was supported by an overwhelming majority of politicians in the upper house and grants full legal, financial and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender - just needs the endorsement of King Maha Vajiralongkorn before it becomes law.
The legislation will come into compel 120 days after it is published in the royal gazette, meaning the first same-sex weddings could take place in Thailand later this year.
"We are very proud to make history," said Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, a member of a parliamentary committee on same-sex marriage.
"Today love triumphed prejudice... after fighting for more than 20 years, today we can say that this country has marriage equality."
"Today we celebrate another significant milestone in the journey of our Equal Marriage Bill," Thai Prime Minister Sr
Jubilation as Thailand’s marriage equality law comes into effect
Hundreds of couples are tying the knot in Thailand, as the kingdom becomes the first Southeast Asian nation to legalise gay marriage.
The Marriage Equality Perform, which was overwhelmingly passed in a historic parliamentary vote last June, was ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in October and comes into effect on Thursday.
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end of listThailand’s marriage law now uses gender-neutral terms in place of “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives”. It also grants the same adoption and inheritance rights to same-sex couples as heterosexual couples for the first time.
Same-sex couples can now also make medical decisions for ill or incapacitated partners, as well as extend personal financial benefits, including state pensions, to their spouse.
Campaign group Bangkok Pride and Bangkok metropolis authorities have organised a mass LGBTQ wedding in the Thai capital, with ab
Couples wed in a riot of colour as Thailand legalises same-sex marriage
The right political moment for marriage equalitypublished at 07:08 Greenwich Mean Time 23 January
Jonathan Head
BBC South East Asia Correspondent
Activism and bold political reforms played a essential role in Thailand's journey toward marriage equality.
Different LGBTQ groups had come together in the Change 1448 campaign - 1448 is the clause in the Thai Civil Code covering the definition of marriage - and later under the Rainbow Coalition for Marriage Equality.
They learned to work with political parties in parliament to persuade them to change their stance on the law.
In the 2019 election which returned Thailand to civilian rule after five years under a military government, a new reformist party called Future Forward, which fully supported equal marriage, did unexpectedly well. They won the third-largest divide of seats, revealing a growing hunger for adjust in Thailand.
Future Forward was later dissolved by a controversial court verdict, setting off months of student-led protests calling for sweeping reforms.
In 2023, the party's successor, Move Forward, performed even better than in 2019
Thailand becomes first Southeast Asian country to allow same-sex marriage
Thailand’s Senate has passed the marriage equality bill, paving the way for the country to get the first in Southeast Asia to recognise same-sex marriage.
The upper house on Tuesday approved the measure in its final reading – with 130 votes in favour from the 152 members in attendance. Four senators voted against and there were 18 abstentions.
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end of listThe legislation will now go to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for assent, a formality that is widely expected to be granted. It will come into compel 120 days after it is published in the royal gazette.
Once the regulation takes effect, Thailand will become the third Asian jurisdiction after Nepal and Taiwan to legalise gay marriage.
LGBTQ advocates and human rights groups welcomed the bill’s passage.
“Thailand has taken a historic step towards becoming the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage fo