Thailand Leads the Way in Supporting Same-Sex Adoption

While full joint adoption by same-sex couples is legal in many countries around the world, including 23 countries in Europe as well as the United States, it’s far from the case everywhere. For example, in most of Africa and the vast majority of Asia. Full joint adoption is when LGBT couples are given equal rights to participation in the adoption of a child.

Thailand is breaking from its regional pattern, however, with its lower house having passed a bill that means marriage would be described as a partnership between two individuals rather than between a man and a woman. If the new bill is approved by the Senate and receives a royal endorsement, becoming law, it will also give married same-sex couples the right to adopt.

A new survey by Ipsos shows how Thais are overwhelmingly supportive of same-sex couples’ right to adopt, leading the way out of the 26 countries polled, with over 80 percent of respondents agreeing that same-sex couples should have the same rights to adopt children as heterosexual couples.

Other countries with high levels of support were Sweden (78 percent) and Spain (74 percent), while Turkey was at the other end of the spectrum with just 29 percent of support.

Pride month is held annually each June. The event is dedicated to the celebration and commemoration of the LGBT+ community, raising awareness about the continued struggle for equality.