Shaking up gender ideas Shaking up gender ideas
New push to expand rights for LGBTQ groups is stuck in outdated notions of legal sex status, writes Poramet Tangsathaporn
published : 17 Apr 2021 at 04:00
3 Transgenders have endured so much pain alreqady from the change operations. Chompoonute Nakorntap, Adviser to the Minister of Social Development and Human Security
The past few years have been a watershed for legislation campaigning to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Thailand.
The term LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and others. The plus represents other sexual identities including pansexual and gender non bi-nary.
One big moment came in 2015 when the Gender Equality Act 2015 was approved in parliament. It is the only legislation for protecting LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand.
Progress and setbacks
2 Alongside anti-government demonstrations, protesters raised their voice for equality and LGBTI rights on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in August. Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool
This year has seen a lot of development regarding LGBTI communities in Thailand, around the world, and even on-screen, and although Covid-19 has led to more stigma and discrimination, there were still victories in some places
Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, second left, was removed from their position as a member of parliament.
DOMESTIC PROGRESS Surprise is the word that can be associated with a lot of things this year. From the political landscape to LGBTI rights advocacy in Thailand, we have witnessed the unexpected play out in broad daylight and in the heart of the capital no less. Giant rainbow flags were paraded down the streets of Silom and around Democracy Monument as thousands joined demonstrations calling for equal rights for LGBTI. The queer presence was aliv