LGBT Thais 'still face stigma and hostility'

The 62-page report released yesterday said many of Thailand’s LGBT people remain in the closet, fearful of stigma and discrimination.

“Hostile attitudes may lurk below the surface of individuals |and parts of society that do not express their views openly,” the report said. It went on to cite a taxi driver who, when asked about Seri Wongmontha, an outspoken gay media figure and co-leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), asked how he could possibly know about politics when he “doesn’t know what sex |he is”.

Among issues highlighted in the report is the fact that Thai transgender individuals cannot change their gender on identity papers and male-to-female transgender people are often forced into military service.

 

Limited options for transgenders 

“LGBT people face workplace discrimination, including being denied promotions or are fired from their jobs after disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity. Transgender people are often limited in their employment options. Bullying in schools against LGBT people is very common. While the country’s constitution prohibits discrimination against citizens on any grounds, there are no laws that recognise LGBT relationships or parenthood and laws on marriage apply only to heterosexual couples.”

The report also noted that while there exist no laws that directly prohibit the coverage of LGBT issues in the media, much LGBT content is either censored or sensationalised. 

“Thailand is one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific region where the LGBT community has high visibility. But visibility does not always translate to equality. The United Nations in Thailand is working with the Government, civil society and development partners to ensure that LGBT people have equal rights and are free from facing any form of discrimination,” UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative for Thailand Luc Stevens was quoted as saying yesterday.