Thailand’s cabinet on Tuesday, Dec. 19, approved a bill that would legalize same-sex unions, possibly making it the first Southeast Asian country to equalize marriage rights.

According to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the bill would give LGBTQ couples the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexual couples.

“This law will allow people to marry and have the same rights and responsibilities as couples who are men and women,” Mr Srettha told reporters.

Deputy government spokesman Karom Pornpolklang said that the bill would also change “husbands” and “wives” under the marriage law into gender-neutral terms.

The parliament is expected to debate and consider the measures by Dec. 21. — with reports from Agence France-Presse