VOA标准英语2013--Thai Same-Sex Marriage Bill Not Without Controversy

 

Thai Same-Sex Marriage Bill Not Without Controversy¹

This is a traditional Thai wedding, except there is no groom².  There are two brides.

This ceremony is only symbolic³ because Thailand, like all of Asia, does not recognize same sex marriage.

But a draft law later this year could change that and make Thailand the first Asian nation to legalize gay marriage.

Nonetheless, Arisa Thanommek and her partner Pacharee Hungsabut say they were not interested in waiting. "We...we [will] not wait. Because we [are] ready.  Our family is ready," she said. 

Thailand has never outlawed⁴ homosexuality and many people say the Buddhist⁵ culture promotes more acceptance of sexual differences.

But, a survey conducted last year indicates 58 percent of the Thai public still holds traditional beliefs that same-sex marriage is not natural and sets a bad example for children.

Wirat Kalayasiri is a member of the Thai parliament and deputy director of the committee drafting the same-sex law.  

He says the average age of lawmakers, older than 45, has made the promotion⁶ of the law more difficult.

"There are groups that do not agree, elderly people who do not understand the feelings of those people.  A second group are those with strict religious beliefs such as Roman Catholic or Islam which are quite strict on this issue," he said. 

The debate began last year when Nathee Theerarojanapong and his boyfriend of more than two decades tried to marry, but were rejected.

He and other activists⁷ took the case to lawmakers and created a momentum⁸ they are confident could soon make history, and not only in Asia.

"We will lead America.  For this issue, for sure.  Your country will take quite a while.  But, for us, I think…next year or maybe a few years, we will get it.  I believe.  One hundred percent sure," he sid. 

But critics say the same-sex marriage law, as drafted, is still more separate than equal.

Although it allows most of the same legal benefits and decision-making rights as heterosexual couples, the age of consent is raised from 17 to 20 years old.

Activists also say a gender-neutral law would be more appropriate to prevent transgender people being forced into a male or female category that not everyone would agree with.  

1 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

2 groom   

vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁

参考例句：

• His father was a groom.他父亲曾是个马夫。
• George was already being groomed for the top job.为承担这份高级工作，乔治已在接受专门的培训。

3 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

4 outlawed   

宣布…为不合法（outlaw的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Most states have outlawed the use of marijuana. 大多数州都宣布使用大麻为非法行为。
• I hope the sale of tobacco will be outlawed someday. 我希望有朝一日烟草制品会禁止销售。

5 Buddhist   

adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒

参考例句：

• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
• In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里，人世上一切事情都是空的。

6 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

7 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。