Singapore LGBTQ community hails Thailand’s same-sex marriage law, curbs inclusivity hopes

He added: “I am hopeful that in the long term, at least it becomes a viable option for many lesbian and gay same-sex couples from Singapore.”

However, the couple – both declined to reveal their full names – will not be going to the US for their nuptials. Instead, they and 50 of their friends and family will gather in an industrial building in Tai Seng, Singapore, while the officiant in Utah marries them over a video call through a service called Courtly.

They will receive a US marriage certificate, but their marriage will not be recognised in Singapore and the couple will not enjoy the legal benefits of marriage in the city state.

“We don’t really care about the legality of it in countries like Singapore, but I think it’s really more of formalising our union and celebrating with close family and friends. I think that part is important,” Lau, a human resources director, told This Week In Asia on Thursday.

Ong, a business owner, and Lau will not be eligible for public flats, which close to four-fifths of Singapore residents live in. The couple have saved up enough to buy a condominium unit.

“Just because we’re at a disadvantage doesn’t mean we should succumb to what society tells us to do. For us, we are just excited to get married so we don’t see Singapore not recognising gay marriage as an obstacle, we see it more like how can we work around it?” Lau said.

Ong and Lau said they were pleased that Thailand could be an option as a venue for marriage registration but had planned for their big day when the news from Bangkok was announced.

Clement Tan, LGBTQ non-profit Pink Dot’s spokesman, said the community in Singapore was encouraged by the milestone achieved by Thailand but noted that couples who married overseas would still be