British Ambassador on same-sex marriage in the UK and gender equality in Thailand

[webfact]

As the Thai parliament passed the second and third readings of the marriage equality bill on March 27th, the tenth anniversary of legalised same-sex marriage in the UK was reached.

 

The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, along with his husband, Dr. Christopher McCormick, took this opportunity to reflect on the UK’s road to achieving gender equality and LGBT+ rights, while also expressing hope for Thailand in becoming the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage.

 

“It is the 10th anniversary of the first same-sex weddings in the UK, but I think it also marks decades of progress in the UK on LGBTQ+ rights, including the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 1960s, gay adoption, equalisation of the age of consent and the Civil Partnership Act, which took effect in 2005 in the UK,” Mark explains.

 

The same-sex marriage law in England and Wales passed in July 2013, but took effect on March 13th, 2014. Consequently, the first same-sex weddings took place on March 29th, 2014. The same law in Scotland passed in February of the same year and took effect in December 2014. Northern Ireland was the last part of the UK to legalise same-sex marriage in July 2019, which took effect on January 13th, 2020.

 

In fact, Mark and Chris were among the very first couples in the UK to register a civil partnership.

 

While they have been posted to several countries before Thailand, including Sri Lanka, China and Cambodia, they say they have never experienced difficulties living as a gay couple outside of the UK. They have been warmly welcomed, especially in Thailand.

 

“I have to say that, here in Thailand, Chris and I have had a very positive experience,” Mark explains. “We’ve been coming to Thailand for many years, both for holidays and for work trips, and we’ve been welcomed strongly. So, we find Thailand to be a very inclusive and diverse society.”

 

“I think the fact that we have been so warmly welcomed really speaks very highly to the inclusive nature of Thai society,” said Chris. “It has been a very positive experience for us being here, but also, in other postings, we’ve been warmly received and we got to know people of all different cultures and identities. It’s been a chance for us to grow and learn about how people express their identities in different parts of the world and that’s a really good education for us as well.”

 

Ever since the UK legalised same-sex marriage, one significant change he noticed was the perception of equal marriage, before and after the legislation. Citing poll results, he said that in 2010 and 2011, before same-sex marriage was legal, only 40% of the British people supported equal marriage, but since the law was enacted, the number had doubled to 80% by 2023, indicating that British people have generally embraced the change.

 

“Social views have actually moved very, very quickly and you see the same happening in many countries,” said Mark. “I think that’s a good thing. It can make the UK more inclusive, more diverse and have a happier society.”

 

By Nad Bunnag, Thai PBS World

TOP: The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, and his husband, Dr. Christopher McCormick.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-03-28

 

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[fulhamster]

Could he advise us on the upcoming tax fiasco that will start in January ??

Still no official clarification

[Goat]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, along with his husband, Dr. Christopher McCormick, took this opportunity to reflect on the UK’s road to achieving gender equality and LGBT+ rights, while also expressing hope for Thailand in becoming the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage.

 

I bet they have a lot of fun being based in Bang kok.

[metisdead]

An off topic post about the USA and the replies contravening our Community Standards have been removed.

[Bobthegimp]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

 

The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, along with his husband, Dr. Christopher McCormick, took this opportunity to reflect on the UK’s road to achieving gender equality and LGBT+ rights, while also expressing hope for Thailand in becoming the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage

 

Perhaps they could take their dog and pony show to the Middle East and flog their wares in a less hospitable region. I'd love to see how that works out for them. 

[arithai12]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

Mark Gooding, along with his husband, Dr. Christopher McCormick

Not being critical, just curious. How do they call each other? Do they both say "my husband" referring to their spouse, or is one identified as "the wife"? What is written in their documents? What if two men "have a child", how would the baby call his two dads?

I have to say that "his husband" does sound wrong in English. Perhaps languages will have to adapt to these new situations.

[retarius]

God I wish I could unsay that photo.