Thailand took a step towards marriage equality Wednesday as lawmakers gave initial approval to legalising same-sex unions, prompting celebrations outside the parliament building.

It is a significant landmark in a Buddhist-majority country with a highly visible LGBTQ community but whose members still face major barriers and discrimination.

The legislation must clear several more hurdles before becoming law. If it succeeds, Thailand would be the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise same sex unions.

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The lower house approved two bills that would allow same-sex marriages and also two others that would permit civil partnerships.

A committee of lawmakers will now scrutinise the bills in detail and consolidate them into two proposals, to give MPs a choice between backing civil partnerships and full same-sex marriage.

After the vote a small but enthusiastic group of activists celebrated noisily outside parliament, weeping, hugging and waving rainbow flags.

"I am very happy and glad, it is a good sign in Pride month that there are MPs who want equality and vote for the bills," LGBTQ activist Nada Chaiyajit told AFP.

"But there is a long way to go."

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Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the opposition Move Forward Party which proposed one of the same-sex marriage bills, said the vote should give people hope.

"Today is an answer that politics is possible here in Thailand," Pita told the celebrating activists outside parliament.&nbsp;

"No matter who you are, there is a place for you in this country."

Demands for marriage equality were a theme at Bangkok's Pride parade earlier this month the Thai capital's first such event in nearly 16 years.

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Ryan Figueiredo, executive director of LGBT rights campaign group the Equal Asia Foundation, welcomed the vote but warned "there is a lot of work to be done on the ground in terms of moving the needle of public opinion and also talking to parliamentarians."

Figueiredo also urged the Thai parliament to back full marriage.

"Civil partnerships are not equal to marriage equality, it creates an entire different class of people," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"Civil partnerships seem like a consolation prize."

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Thailand took a step towards marriage equality Wednesday as lawmakers gave initial approval to legalising same-sex unions, prompting celebrations outside the parliament building.

Thailand took a step towards marriage equality Wednesday as lawmakers gave initial approval to legalising same-sex unions, prompting celebrations outside the parliament building. It is a significant landmark in a Buddhist-majority country with a highly visible LGBTQ community but whose members still face major barriers and discrimination. The legislation must clear several more hurdles before becoming law. If it succeeds, Thailand would be the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise same sex unions. Also read | Thai opposition files no-confidence motion against 'flawed' PM The lower house approved two bills that would allow same-sex marriages and also two others that would permit civil partnerships. A committee of lawmakers will now scrutinise the bills in detail and consolidate them into two proposals, to give MPs a choice between backing civil partnerships and full same-sex marriage. After the vote a small but enthusiastic group of activists celebrated noisily outside parliament, weeping, hugging and waving rainbow flags. "I am very happy and glad, it is a good sign in Pride month that there are MPs who want equality and vote for the bills," LGBTQ activist Nada Chaiyajit told AFP. "But there is a long way to go." Watch | Thailand legalises cannabis – What does this mean? Are there restrictions on use? Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the opposition Move Forward Party which proposed one of the same-sex marriage bills, said the vote should give people hope. "Today is an answer that politics is possible here in Thailand," Pita told the celebrating activists outside parliament. "No matter who you are, there is a place for you in this country." Demands for marriage equality were a theme at Bangkok's Pride parade earlier this month the Thai capital's first such event in nearly 16 years. Also read | Thailand giving away one million marijuana plants to develop as cash crop Ryan Figueiredo, executive director of LGBT rights campaign group the Equal Asia Foundation, welcomed the vote but warned "there is a lot of work to be done on the ground in terms of moving the needle of public opinion and also talking to parliamentarians." Figueiredo also urged the Thai parliament to back full marriage. "Civil partnerships are not equal to marriage equality, it creates an entire different class of people," he told AFP. "Civil partnerships seem like a consolation prize." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Thailand takes step towards same-sex marriage with parliament vote

Thailand's cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft bill that aims to legalise same-sex couples and give them more rights.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The bill avoids the term "marriage"&nbsp;but allows same-sex partners to register legally and give them rights, that include jointly owning property, adopting children, and pass on inheritances.&nbsp;

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It needs parliament's approval to become law, but social activists say the bigger challenge was the clearance by the Thai cabinet, which is largely made up of retired military generals and orthodox political leaders.&nbsp;

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If the parliament nods the civil partnership bill, Thailand will join Taiwan as the only regions in Asia that provide legal equality to same-sex partners.&nbsp;

Taiwan approved same-sex marriage bill last year.&nbsp;

The civil partnership bill calls civil partners as couples, who are born with same-sex. To register, couples must be at least 17 years old and one out of the pair must be a Thai citizen. The pair, who is under 17 years of age, will be required permission from their legal guardian or parents. It also covers rules for separation.&nbsp;

However, the proposed amendments in the bill don't grant same-sex couples similar rights and privileges that a heterosexual married couple enjoys.&nbsp;

Critics also say that the bill doesn't equate civil partnerships to marriage and doesn't provide tax exemptions, medical and social security benefits.&nbsp;

Thailand is seen as a country that has conservative roots but is relatively very open to LGBTQ people as compared to its Southeast Asian neighbours.&nbsp;

Thailand's cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft bill that aims to legalise same-sex couples and give them more rights. The bill avoids the term "marriage" but allows same-sex partners to register legally and give them rights, that include jointly owning property, adopting children, and pass on inheritances.

Thailand's cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft bill that aims to legalise same-sex couples and give them more rights. The bill avoids the term "marriage" but allows same-sex partners to register legally and give them rights, that include jointly owning property, adopting children, and pass on inheritances. Also read | Thailand's main airport offers rapid coronavirus test for international arrivals It needs parliament's approval to become law, but social activists say the bigger challenge was the clearance by the Thai cabinet, which is largely made up of retired military generals and orthodox political leaders. Also read | Schools reopen across Thailand with temperature checks, masks If the parliament nods the civil partnership bill, Thailand will join Taiwan as the only regions in Asia that provide legal equality to same-sex partners. Taiwan approved same-sex marriage bill last year. The civil partnership bill calls civil partners as couples, who are born with same-sex. To register, couples must be at least 17 years old and one out of the pair must be a Thai citizen. The pair, who is under 17 years of age, will be required permission from their legal guardian or parents. It also covers rules for separation. However, the proposed amendments in the bill don't grant same-sex couples similar rights and privileges that a heterosexual married couple enjoys. Critics also say that the bill doesn't equate civil partnerships to marriage and doesn't provide tax exemptions, medical and social security benefits. Thailand is seen as a country that has conservative roots but is relatively very open to LGBTQ people as compared to its Southeast Asian neighbours.

Thailand set to become first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex unions

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Thailand takes step towards same-sex marriage with parliament vote

Thailand set to become first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex unions