Fridae

Photos: The Bangkok Post's Legalising Love feature. 
Phanlavee Chongtangsattam and Rungtiwa Tangkanopast (bottom right).

Could Thailand become the first Asian country to legalise same-sex civil unions? That's the question on the minds of many LGBT community members in Thailand and international observers.

A draft law that is currently being readied for parliament seeks to offer gay couples the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples.

The event announcement reads: "Despite Thailand's reputation for permissive attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couplings, these groups still face social opposition. A government survey suggests that nearly 60 percent of Thais are not in favour of gay marriage and activists contend Thai society's take on same-sex couplings is more complex than most assume."

According to the Bangkok Post, a government survey has found nearly 60% of Thais are not in favour of gay marriage and activists contend Thai society's take on same-sex couples is more complex than most assume.

The panel will comprise:

- Anjana Suvarnananda, a pioneer in the LGBTI movement. In 1987, Suvarnanada co-founded Anjaree Group, the first organisation in the country to raise the issues of lesbian and gay rights.

- Danai Linjongrat, executive director of the Rainbow Sky Association, a LGBTI rights group. The organisation focuses on physical and psychological well-being, policy equality and community building.

- Prempreeda Pramoj Na Ayutthaya is an HIV and AIDS National Programme Officer for UNESCO Bangkok. She has been an advocate for human rights and health rights of transgender people and sexual minorities for more than a decade.

- MP Wiratana Kalayasiri, a Democrat from Songkhla and Chairman of Legal Justice Human Right committee. He is presenting the draft law on same-sex unions to Thailand's parliament.

Joining the Q&A session will be Khun Rungtiwa Tangkanopast and her life partner, Khun Phanlavee Chongtangsattam, who have been campaigning to push for legal recognition of their relationship/family as well as for other families.

Date/Time: July 17 2013 ,7pm FCCT opens for dinner. Event starts at 8pm
Venue: FCCT Penthouse Maneeya Center (opposite Central Chidlom)
Cover charge for non members: 150 baht.

The discussion will be mainly in English. For more information, call 02-652-0580-1 or e-mail: info@fccthai.com