Fridae

New Zealand has become the first country in the Asia Pacific region and the 13th worldwide to legalise same-sex marriage after its parliament voted 77 to 44 on Wednesday night.

Thailand's National Human Rights Commission's Dr. Taejing Siripanich explains why hate crimes and lack of anti-discrimination legislation are not being prioritised as same-sex marriage is, and that advocating for a new law to be created to legalise same-sex partnerships is "easier than changing the existing marriage law."

As public hearings are underway before the bill will be proposed to parliament for debate, the English-language local media appears to be covering the issue positively with interviews with same-sex couples who speak about the discrimination they currently face and their hopes for the future.

The Rights and Liberties Protection Department and the House committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights have held the first of a series of public hearings to consider civil unions that would allow same-sex couples equal marriage rights.

Queensland's Liberal National Party government have not only voted to downgrade civil partnerships to “registered relationships”; same-sex couples and singles will also be denied the right to have a child by surrogacy under plans flagged by the state government.

Is marriage now a sure thing? Recent developments show major change. Doug Sanders reflects on the present possibilities.

The Attorney-General says the federal government is opposed to the Australian Capital Territory's intention to restore the original version of the ACT Civil Unions Act which was struck down in 2006.