Thailand may soon become the first south-Asian country to legalise same-sex unions. The country’s Cabinet approved a draft bill on Wednesday, July 8, that will legally recognise same-sex civil partnerships. This bill, if passed, will afford same-sex couples in the conservative country many more rights.
Under the Civil Partnership Bill, couples must be at least 17 years old and one must be a Thai citizen to qualify. The draft bill will soon have a public hearing, in which the House of Representatives will debate and vote on whether or not to pass the bill. It will then go to the Senate, who will once again vote on whether to pass it. This could be a months-long process.
This bill, if passed, would also make Thailand the second Asian country to legally recognise same-sex unions. In 2019, Taiwan became the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.
Recognising same-sex civil partnerships is not the same as legalising same-sex marriage, however. It will only allow same-sex couples to legally register their union, but not formally marry in the traditional sense. Furthermore, these couples will be able to adopt children together, claim inheritance rights and jointly manage assets like property. This is a massive step forward for the LGBTQI+ movement in Thailand.
“The Civil Partnership Bill is an important step for Thai society in promoting equal rights and supporting the rights of same-sex couples to build families and live as partners,” wrote Ratchada Thanadirek, a deputy government spokesperson in a Facebook post.
Feature image: Pexels
We all want our weddings to be a perfect occasion, however, we can’t control everything. At times, silly things happen and the best we can do is laugh…
The early 2000s seem like a lifetime ago. It was a simpler time, when Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears wore matching denim outifts, low-rise jeans were super trendy and COVID-19 had never been heard of.
While these couples didn’t last, they have become iconic pairings in celebrity history. Here are a few of our favourite celebrity couples from the early 2000s that have since gone their separate ways.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon
The actors met on the set of the 2007 political thriller film Rendition and dated from 2007 to 2009.
Mila Kunis and Macauley Culkin
Before marrying Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis dated Home Alone star Macauley Culkin for eight years from 2002 to 2011.
J.Lo and P.Diddy
Back when he was still Puff Daddy, the iconic rapper and Jenny from the Block were an item. They dated from 1999 to 2001, and split because of Diddy’s infidelity. Diddy has since called her one of his greatest loves.
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake
The pair met at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2003 to dated until 2007. Their split is said to be mutual.
Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake
There is no other 2000s couple more iconic than Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. The pair began dating in 1999 and gave us cute moments like their matching denim moment, before splitting in 2002. Timberlake’s song ‘Cry Me a River’ was released soon after their break up, and is believed to be about Spears.
Ashanti and Nelly
The iconic RnB performers dated for a whole decade before breaking up in 2013. While she didn’t elaborate on reasons why, Ashanti did say in an interview that she had been betrayed.
Michael Bublé and Emily Blunt
Everyone’s favourite Christmas-time singer dated Devil Wears Prada actress Emily Blunt from 2005 to 2008. Blunt has since gone on to marry John Krasinksi and Bublé married Argentinian actress Luisana Lopilato.
Michael Cera and Aubrey Plaza
Comedy actors Michael Cera and Aubrey Plaza were an item for a year-and-a-half after meeting on the set of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World in 2009, and almost eloped together in Las Vegas. They remain good friends.
Ciara and Bow Wow
Before she married Russell Wilson, Ciara was engaged to rapper and actor Bow Wow back in 2006. The pair dated for two years.
Matthew McConaughey and Janet Jackson
This incredibly unlikely pair briefly dated in 2002. Jackson confirmed the short-lived romance in 2006, saying it was ‘just for a minute’.
Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz
The actors met on the set of their 2001 film Vanilla Sky and continued to date for three years.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt were once one of the most famous celebrity couples. They began dating in 1998, married in 2000 and divorced in 2005. Pitt later married Mrs and Mrs Smith co-star Angelina Jolie, who went on to say they fell in love while filming the movie in 2004 (while Pitt was still married to Aniston).
Feature image: Pinterest
A man in Betul, a district in Madhya Pradesh, India got married to two women at the same time in the same ceremony on July 8. The nuptials…
Couples have had to get extra creative amid the nationwide lockdown. From drive-by bridal showers to virtual weddings, we’ve seen it all. This South African couple took it a step further when they offered followers the chance to attend their wedding… for a price.
Katinka ‘Die Kat’ is a photographer and influencer who rose to fame as a contestant on Survivor SA: Phillippines. She and her fiance Braam tied the knot this past weekend in the Wilderness in an intimate gathering, following lockdown regulations.
Ahead of their big day, Katinka posted an image to Instagram, explaining that followers can also attend their big day. The catch, however, is that it would cost them R150 to virtually attend.
“We decided to give you the opportunity to celebrate our intimate wedding with us and be there as guests❤️ limited tickets available, link in bio,” she wrote on Instagram. “What you’ll see is me before walking down the isle, Braam’s reaction and our vows and our first kiss as a married couple.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCJYc6uJpzn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Responses to this post were divided. Some called this offer ridiculous while others defended the couple’s decision, saying it’s their right to do what they want.
The pair married this past weekend, although there has been no mention of how many tuned in to view the big day.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCRU3xOJtFU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Feature image: Instagram / Katinka Die Kat
Bring your love of fairytales to life with a sweet, Disney-themed wedding. Iconic storylines like Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Toy Story can add a magical touch…
South African on-air personality, actress and model Minnie Dlamini-Jones and her husband, former football player Quinton Jones celebrated their 3rd traditional wedding anniversary, on Wednesday, July 8. Dlamini was spoiled by her husband, as her birthday falls close to the anniversary too.
In a post on Instagram, Dlamini gushed over her husband and the gifts he got her.
“Today is our traditional wedding anniversary ❤️ Yesterday my husband suprized me with a Zoom party for my almost 30th (29.5 ?) He got me an @asandamadyibi outfit to match the theme, got the patio looking beautiful and got my friends and family to join me on a Zoom call the whole day… He didn’t miss a BEAT, it was PERFECT ? And I got diamonds ?,” she said.
“Thank you to everyone that made my day special, from the messages, the flowers, the gifts everyone that thought of me yesterday I appreciate and LOVE you all soooo much!!! But my husband more ??❤️ Thank you Baby ?,” added Dlamini.
The photos show Dlamini and Jones posing in front of a wall of gold and white balloons for her birthday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYiU-1HFXV/?utm_source=ig_embed
Dlamini and Jones made it official in a colourful traditional wedding at Glenn Hills in Northern Durban, KwaZulu Natal, on July 8, 2017.
South African stars such as Basetsana Kumalo, Jessica Nkosi, Anele Mdoda, Zakes Bantwini, Nandi Madida, Criselda Dudumashe, Jimmy Tau and Unathi Msengana were all in attendance.
Sunday World reported that guests in attendance were required to wear wristbands to ensure that no strangers or uninvited guests were able to get in, and guests were asked not to take pictures. However, several pictures from the day cropped up online.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo_cLETgJGU/?utm_source=ig_embed
Thanks @LeboTeee
Here’s Minnie guys ???? not a great pic but muhle ??#MinniesMembeso pic.twitter.com/e3BQVGuwgk
— I Build Brands Online (@NothandoTembe) July 8, 2017
Her Besties. The bridesmaids. In Xhosa attires #MinniesMembeso pic.twitter.com/n4v3mTOPgh
— I Build Brands Online (@NothandoTembe) July 8, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWSoMldluU9/?utm_source=ig_embed
Their white wedding took place later that year on September 16 at the Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West in Cape Town.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnDjKxJBtBs/?utm_source=ig_embed
In October 2017, Dlamini detailed how she met her husband in an Interview on Jacaranda FM.
“I met my husband seven years ago [2010] when we both worked at Urban Brew Studios, he was much senior than me and I was an assistant runner or something, and he honestly became my best friend,” she said.
According to her, the friendship grew stronger and stronger, but they were never single at the same time.
“Then a couple of years ago we were both single, and he was like, ‘why don’t we give it a shot?’ I was like, ‘no that’s weird’. ‘He was like no one knows you like me, and no one knows me like you,” she said.
Thereafter, they were together for a year, however, it was not official.
“So for a year we were together but weren’t official. Then he took me on holiday and asked me to be his girlfriend. And I was like, I really like you,” she said.
The pair have been madly in love and happy as ever since then.
Image: Instagram / Minnie Dlamini