Nirish guy
January 16th, 2015, 17:00
Courtesy of Gaystar news this morning........
New constitution will ensure protection for all sexual identities
Thailand's new constitution will recognize a 'third gender' for the first time, a move that has been welcomed by the country's large LGBTI community.
A panel hand-picked by the military government began work on the new constitution this week after the previous one was scrapped following a coup in May.
Panel spokesperson Kamnoon Sittisamarn yesterday (15 January) said the charter would ensure protection for all sexual identities and equal treatment under the law.
'We are putting the words "third gender" in the constitution because Thai society has advanced,' he told Reuters.
'There are not only men and women, we need to protect all sexes. We consider all sexes to be equal.'
The measure still needs to be formally approved by the ruling junta.
Thailand has a large and highly visible LGBTI community but society remains largely conservative. Parliament began debating gay marriage legislation in 2013 but the draft law was frozen after political protests broke out.
Activists welcomed the decision to include third gender in the constitution.
'It would treat all citizens equally and help to protect from discrimination in all areas including ease of doing business and also personal life,' said prominent gay activist Natee Teerarojjanapongs.
See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/thai ... H5d8k.dpuf (http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/thailand-recognize-third-gender160115#sthash.1zNH5d8k.dpuf)
New constitution will ensure protection for all sexual identities
Thailand's new constitution will recognize a 'third gender' for the first time, a move that has been welcomed by the country's large LGBTI community.
A panel hand-picked by the military government began work on the new constitution this week after the previous one was scrapped following a coup in May.
Panel spokesperson Kamnoon Sittisamarn yesterday (15 January) said the charter would ensure protection for all sexual identities and equal treatment under the law.
'We are putting the words "third gender" in the constitution because Thai society has advanced,' he told Reuters.
'There are not only men and women, we need to protect all sexes. We consider all sexes to be equal.'
The measure still needs to be formally approved by the ruling junta.
Thailand has a large and highly visible LGBTI community but society remains largely conservative. Parliament began debating gay marriage legislation in 2013 but the draft law was frozen after political protests broke out.
Activists welcomed the decision to include third gender in the constitution.
'It would treat all citizens equally and help to protect from discrimination in all areas including ease of doing business and also personal life,' said prominent gay activist Natee Teerarojjanapongs.
See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/thai ... H5d8k.dpuf (http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/thailand-recognize-third-gender160115#sthash.1zNH5d8k.dpuf)