Thailand: Gender recognition bill set to be tabled

WRITER: THANA BOONLERT

The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will table its gender recognition bill for consideration by parliament in October amid concerns it will leave behind those who do not fall into designated categories, especially non-binary and intersex people.

The move came after the cabinet approved the civil partnership bill last month. If ratified, it will legalise same-sex unions.

The gender recognition bill will establish the rights of transgender people who have been denied access to services, job opportunities, and welfare benefits on the grounds of their gender identities not matching sexes designated on their birth certificates.

Chompoonute Nakornthap, the chair of the working group on the gender recognition draft bill for the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, said her team "hit the ground running" early this year after a push for legislation came under political pressure.

She said the bill abides by human rights concerning gender identity and expression, thereby not forcing transgender people to undergo gender reassignment surgery to seek their title change. Read more via Bangkok Post