Back at One: Another LingOrm's Story

#7

The crisp morning sun filtered through the high-rise buildings of Bangkok, casting long shadows as Ling and Orm pulled up outside the lawyer's office. The anxiety of the moment was palpable, but their shared determination to start a family pushed them forward. Ling parked the car, her fingers lightly tapping the steering wheel. She took a deep breath and turned toward Orm.

"You ready for this?" Orm asked, her voice steady but eyes betraying a flicker of nervousness.

Ling squeezed her hand, offering a small smile. "As ready as I'll ever be. But we're in this together."

Orm returned the squeeze, their hands lingering as if drawing strength from one another. This wasn't just another appointment—it felt like the start of something bigger, the first step in a long journey toward becoming parents. The excitement of the idea was tempered by the weight of uncertainty, but Ling and Orm had always been a team, and today would be no different.

The law office was sterile yet welcoming, its glass walls providing a clear view of the bustling city outside. The waiting area was adorned with photos of happy families, all different shapes, sizes, and colors—a reminder of the varied paths to parenthood. Ling found herself staring at the pictures, wondering what their future family might look like.

Mr. Anawat, their lawyer, greeted them with a warm smile and led them into his office. A specialist in LGBTQ+ family law, he came highly recommended, and they had felt reassured after their first conversation with him over the phone.

"Good morning," Mr. Anawat said as they took their seats. "I understand today we'll be discussing the legal steps for you two to start a family."

Orm nodded, her face showing a mixture of anticipation and concern. "Yeah, we just want to know what our options are and what we need to prepare for."

Mr. Anawat opened a thick folder in front of him, flipping through a series of documents. "Well, as a same-sex couple, there are a few complexities in Thai law that you'll need to navigate. Civil unions are recognized, but when it comes to parental rights, things are a bit more nuanced."

Ling leaned forward, listening intently. The legal side of things had always been a concern for her—especially knowing that the laws for LGBTQ+ families were still evolving.

"First and foremost," Mr. Anawat continued, "if one of you carries the child through IVF, only the biological mother is automatically granted parental rights. The non-biological parent will have to go through a separate legal process to adopt the child, which can take several months and requires a home evaluation."

Orm's heart sank slightly. She had read about second-parent adoption, but hearing it confirmed brought a harsh reality. "So, even though we're married, I'd still have to adopt the child if Ling carries the baby?"

"That's correct," Mr. Anawat said, nodding. "It's not an impossible process, but it does take time and effort. The courts will want to ensure the best environment for the child, which means providing proof of your civil partnership, going through interviews, and having your home evaluated."

Ling's brow furrowed as she took in the information. She had hoped their marriage would grant them equal rights from the start, but the road ahead seemed more complicated than they had anticipated.

"What about surrogacy?" Ling asked, her voice laced with curiosity. "Is that an option?"

Mr. Anawat leaned back in his chair, folding his hands on his lap. "Surrogacy is possible in Thailand, but it's heavily regulated. The law requires that the surrogate be a close relative of the intended parents, and even then, the biological mother will still need to go through legal channels to secure full parental rights."