Gay Groups Seek Change To Rape Laws

[Jai Dee]

Gay groups seek change to rape laws

Gay-rights advocates yesterday called for laws to cover the rape and sexual assault of homosexuals and transgender victims.

They want legislation amended following incidents in which homosexual men have been unable to bring rape charges as a result of the "limited coverage of the law".

Gay-rights groups want the definition of rape in the Criminal Code expanded to cover homosexual and transgender victims as well as sexual violation with sex toys and other implements. Forced oral sex needed to be included also, they said.

Outspoken gay activist Nathee Teerarojjanaponse, of the Gay Group on Thai Politics, said sex charges were limited to those by men on women.

Gay men were victims of rape, too, but not covered by the law, he said.

National gay groups proposed Article 276 of the Criminal Code be expanded to include rape and sexual assault on transgender victims and homosexuals.

It needed to include non-consensual oral sex and violations with implements such as sex toys, they said.

Citing a report from the Kul Gay hotline, Nathee said sexual attacks against homosexuals and transgender victims were increasing and becoming more severe.

Many transgender victims had been raped and left with no legal recourse because police refused to accept attacks as rapes. Police described the attacks as "physical assault", which was subject to a lighter penalty on conviction, he said. The network will ask Human Rights Commission member Khunying Amporn Meesuk and Constitution Drafting Assembly first deputy chairman Seri Suwanpanont to consider their demands.

Source: The Nation - 4 April 2007