Celebrating the differences

Joining with more than 100 countries to champion lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights and combat discrimination, Thailand’s LGBTI community, the United Nations, Unesco Bangkok and some 100 organisations will mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (Idahot) on Sunday by lighting up the facade of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre with a massive rainbow-coloured display.

The day was created in 2004 and May 17 was chosen because it was on that day in 1990 that the World Health Organisation first decided to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. LGBTI youth are the focus of this year’s Idahot.

Organisers aim to illuminate the challenges faced by Thailand’s LGBTI community with a week-long programme of activities. 

The theme of this year’s Idahot Thailand campaign speaks to its aim of taking the discussion out of advocacy circles and into the community to show how LGBTI rights are human rights and that their violation harms everyone.

In addition to the BACC events, there is a social-media campaign under the hashtag #WeAreRainbow. Members of the public can get involved in #WeAreRainbow by sharing photos of the slogan written on their bodies.

Kicking off tomorrow, the week-long campaign will feature musical performances, theatrical performances, film screenings, a book launch, frank discussions on LGBTI life and specific challenges the community faces in Thailand, with youth as a key focus.

 

 A WEEK OF EVENTS

Tomorrow

10-noon: Book launch, “Dear Mum and Dad: LGBTI Children’s Letters to Parents” 

2-5pm: “Becoming Men” workshop for transmen to share experiences

6-9pm: “Transwomen: Employment Discrimination”, panel discussion organised by ILO

6pm: Street dance

 

Wednesday

10-noon: UNAids panel on social dating apps and PrEP (pre-exposure prophlaxis)

2-5pm: “Conduct Us”, performance by the Rainbow Orchestra

2-5pm: Panel discussion on violence against young lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders

6-9pm: “Queer Eye for All”, performance by Sun Dance Theatre

 

Thursday

10-noon: “Hurt By Tabloids”, panel discussion on media’s role in negative stereotyping

2-5pm: Panel discussion on bisexuality in the Thai context

2pm: Performance

6-9pm: Concert

 

Friday

2pm: Flash mob 

2-5pm: “Not So Straight Talk”, chat show on LGBTI life

6-9pm: Screening of winning entries in Attitude Thailand’s Gender Diversity short film contest

 

Saturday

10-noon: “Tree of Hope”, interactive exhibition by Unesco Bangkok

6-9pm: “Empowering Melodies”, concert by the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand

 

Sunday

1-5pm: Young Rainbow Workshop on hand-held light-making and art therapy

6-9pm: Official Idahot ceremony with speakers from Unesco, civil society, public and private partners 

 

May 18

1-5pm: Cabaret show, “Pangina Heals”

 

May 19

1-5pm: Meeting on bullying on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in education

6pm: Graffiti artist

 

On the Web:

en.idahotthailand.org/events