Thailand a save heaven for LGBTQ community?

To all the people who ones visited Thailand it becomes clear that Thai culture has a more
open-minded society towards LGBTQ community members. It stands for Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning. Since a couple of years this movement
gets more and more recognition within several societies or countries. On the first view
Thailand looks like a country which is open minded and LGBTQ rights are in favor for those
who need it. However, this is unfortunately not the case with the gay laws in Thailand. It is
still illegal to have a same sex marriage and adopt a baby. So, for members of the LGBTQ
community, it is still hard to start a family if you are a same sex or transgender couple. It is
illegal to donate blood if you are transgender or homosexual. This is actually common in
most countries in the world especially western and more conservative countries e.g., in all
Europe it is forbidden to donate blood if you are in a gay and have an active sex life. Despite
these mentioned rules, Thailand is still very open towards Gay partnerships and has one of
the biggest LGBTQ communities in Asia. How can that be?!

The historical backdrop of homosexuality and transsexual practices in Thailand has

prompted a mind boggling and opposing situation with the output that you see more
transgender and homosexual couples on the street. This is experienced in Thailand more
than in other countries around the world. However, it is contradicted that there is still
aggression and segregation towards LGBTQ community members. This topic is omnipresent
in the Thai culture and Thai media. This contradictory reaches its climax with a message
from the Thai Tourism authority which promotes on the one hand the image of Thailand as
a LGBTQ paradise for homosexual or transgender people to travel to Thailand. And on the
other hand, it forbids discussions about trans sexuality and the content available for
students is very minimized or simply not available. Despite the fact that LGBTQ members
are visible in public there is limited sex education in schools for kids. In addition, LGBTQ
people mostly live in cities and not in rural areas because on the population on the country
side is more conservative and religious and might not consent with being transgender and
homosexual.

LGBT individuals live inside a world with solid strain to be a productive member of the
society and be dutiful to one's family. This is cconnected with the idea that one's sexuality or
sex should not conflict with the norms and values given by the government and religion.
These people live with the daily pressure to disgrace themselves and their family.

The Thai government does not really accept LGBTQ people and still discriminates them on
paper.
Homosexuality is not, at this point thought about a psychological sickness by the Ministry of
Health; be that as it may, transgender people are still battred. A proposition to incorporate
sexual identities under the anti-discrimination statement of the 2007 constitution was
dismissed. Transsexual people can't change their sexual orientation on official papers.
Existing marriage laws explicitly reference conservative couples (husband and wife),
mirroring a customary understanding of sexual orientation and family structure. All male
born people in Thailand are needed to serve in the military. Nonetheless, transsexual ladies,
including any biological males, who have gone through sexual reassignment medical
procedure (SRS) or any type of a medical procedure to actually look more ladylike, are not
permitted to serve in the military. Until 2011, they were given a letter of rejection which
says 'permanent Mental Disorder' as the reason. After much campaigning by the LGBT
members, the letter now says the reasons apparently "Gender Identity Disorder."

Legal and policy reform is seen as difficult both because lawmakers tend to be conservative,
and since the constitution and country’s laws are seen as sacred. Although there's no overt
persecution of LGBT people, Thai society doesn't wholly accept sexual and gender
minorities. Attitudes towards LGBT individuals may be somewhat tolerant as long as LGBT
people remain within certain social confines.  There's an absence of understanding about
the particular struggles and wishes of LGBT people. Arguably, the best and infrequently
most vital struggle that a Thai LGBT individual faces is that of family acceptance. Being
respectful to the desires of one’s parents and upholding a family reputation is prime to how
a Thai individual conducts their life, which might run counter to those with sexual
orientation or identity that don't conform to social norms. Since Thailand is a religious
country, most of its citizens have a conservative perception of sexual orientation which
drives mostly from Buddhism. The overwhelming majority of Thais ascribe to Theravada
Buddhism. This religion does have negative views of sexual orientation and personal identity
that doesn't conform to social norms, viewing it either as a punishment for sins in past lives,
or as an absence of ability to manage sexual impulses and tendencies. Almost 5 percent of
the Thai society is Muslim. In the South of Thailand lives a majority of Muslim communities
who have also a very conservative view on LGBTQ. There's also less visibility and fewer
LGBT-centred businesses and activism that takes place.
Due to the gender roles Thais are expected to play within theworkplace and in society at
large, there have been numerous accounts of LGBT people facing
discrimination workingsettings. Many LGBT people, if possible, like better to remain closeted
to avoid discrimination and stigma at work. as an example, there have been multiple reports
of LGBT individuals being denied promotions, being fired from their jobs after disclosing
their sexual orientation, furthermore as being asked inappropriate questions during
interviews and job screenings because of their SOGI. Transgender those thatcannot easily
hide their identities suffer the foremostemployment discrimination in Thailand, and are
often limited to working in roles in hospitality, entertainment or the sex work industry.
Furthermore, lack of relationship recognition also results in same-sex couples having
unequal status to heterosexual couples in areas like the power to access social services,
spousal insurance and benefits, and joint bank loans.

LGBTQ issues don't seem to be included in formal sex education and aren't integrated into
the final national curriculum. Not only is LGBTQ not mentioned in sex education classes, but
there are reports of negative portrayals of LGBT people in class textbooks that label
homosexuals as deviants. This can create an negative atmosphere around kids resulting in
an negative thought towards LGBTQ community members. This is further deepened by
school regulations to pressure kids to choose School uniform which clearly indicated male or
female gender at a young age. While some LGBT individuals can gain acceptance from
families by being filial, conforming to accepted family roles and being a “good person”,
people who don't choose or are unable to fill these roles can face challenges. While there's
some appearance of acceptance for LGBT persons in Thai society, many face discrimination
from family, education, media, legal, government, economic and non secular structures,
institutions and establishments. there's an excellent juxtaposition between how Thailand is
portrayed globally as a haven for LGBT tourism and also the actual acceptance of LGBT
persons within Thailand itself.

Thailand 
- A save heaven for LGBTQ community?
 
[caption id="attachment_7753" align="aligncenter" width="456"]

 
LGBTQ community members protesting for equal rights in Bangkok (8)[/caption]

To all the people who ones visited Thailand it becomes clear that the Thai culture is more
open-minded society towards LGBTQ community members. It stands for Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning (1). Since a couple of years this movement
gets more and more recognition within several societies and countries around the world. On
the first view Thailand looks like a country which is open minded and LGBTQ rights are in
favor for those who need it. However, this is  not the case; there is no equality for LGBTQ
members in Thailands law books (2). It is still illegal to have a same sex marriage and adopt a
baby (1). For members of the LGBTQ community, it is still hard to start a family if you are a
homosexual or transgender couple. In addition, it is illegal to donate blood if you are
transgender or homosexual (1). This is actually common in most countries in the world
especially western and more conservative countries e.g., in all European countries it is
forbidden to donate blood if you are gay or lesbian. Despite these mentioned rules, Thailand
is still very open towards Gay partnerships and has one of the biggest LGBTQ communities
in Asia (3). How is that possible?!

Is Thailand as tolerant as we think? 

The appearance is deceptive!
The historical backdrop of homosexuality and transsexual practices in Thailand has prompted
in an opposing situation with the output that you see more transgender and homosexual
couples on the street.  This is experienced in Thailand more than in other countries around the
world. However, it is contradicted that there is still aggression and segregation towards
LGBTQ community members (2). This topic is omnipresent in the Thai culture and Thai
media. This contradictory reaches its climax with a message from the Thai Tourism authority
which promotes on the one hand the image of Thailand as a LGBTQ paradise for homosexual
or transgender people to travel to Thailand (4). And on the other hand, it forbids discussions
about trans sexuality and the content available for students is very minimised or simply not
available (4). Despite the fact that LGBTQ members are visible in public there is limited sex
education in schools for kids. In addition, LGBTQ people mostly live in cities and not in rural
areas because the population on the country side is more conservative and religious and might
not consent with being transgender and homosexual (2).

[caption id="attachment_7752" align="alignright" width="290"]

 A Young Thai demonstrates

for LGBTQ rights on "Pride Day" in Bangkok (8)[/caption]

LGBT individuals live inside a world with solid strain to be a productive member of the
society and be dutiful to one's family. This is cconnected with the idea that one's sexuality or
sex should not conflict with the norms and values given by the government and religion.
These people live with the daily pressure to disgrace themselves and their family (2). The
Thai government does not fully accept LGBTQ people and still discriminates them on paper.

Are Transgender targeted and discriminated by  laws?

Homosexuality is not, at this point thought about a psychological sickness by the Ministry of
Health; be that as it may, transgender people are still battered (5). A proposition to
incorporate sexual identities under the anti-discrimination statement of the 2007 constitution
was dismissed. Transsexual people can't change their sexual orientation on official papers (2).
Existing marriage laws explicitly reference conservative couples (husband and wife),
mirroring a customary understanding of sexual orientation and family structure (3). All male
born people in Thailand are needed to serve in the military. Nonetheless, transsexual ladies,
including any biological males, who have gone through sexual reassignment surgery (SRS) or
any type of a medical procedure to actually look more ladylike, are not permitted to serve in
the military (2). Until 2011, they were given a letter of rejection which says 'permanent
Mental Disorder' as the reason. After much campaigning by LGBTQ activists, the letter now
says the reasons apparently "Gender Identity Disorder."
[caption id="attachment_7844" align="aligncenter" width="442"]

 
LGBTQ+ Protest in Bangkok (7)[/caption]

Breaking through family pressure  

Legal and policy reform is seen as difficult both because lawmakers tend to be conservative,
and since the constitution and country’s laws are seen as sacred. Although there's no overt
persecution of LGBT people, Thai society doesn't wholly accept sexual and gender minorities
(4). Attitudes towards LGBT individuals may be somewhat tolerant as long as LGBT people
remain within certain social confines.  There's an absence of understanding about the
particular struggles and wishes of LGBT people. Arguably, the best and infrequently most
vital struggle that a Thai LGBT individual faces is that of family acceptance. Being respectful
to the desires of one’s parents and upholding a family reputation is prime to how a Thai
individual conducts their life, which might run counter to those with sexual orientation or
identity that don't conform to social norms (2). Since Thailand is a religious country, most of
its elderly citizens have a conservative perception of sexual orientation which drives mostly
from Buddhism (1). This religion does have negative views of sexual orientation and personal
identity that doesn't conform to social norms, viewing it either as a punishment for sins in
past lives, or as an absence of ability to manage sexual impulses and tendencies (2).

On every level a restraint 

Due to the gender roles Thais are expected to play within the workplace and in society at
large, there have been numerous accounts of LGBT people facing discrimination working
settings. Many LGBT people, if possible, like better to remain introvert to avoid
discrimination and stigma at work. As an example, there have been multiple reports of LGBT
individuals being denied promotions, being fired from their jobs after disclosing their sexual
orientation. Furthermore, as being asked inappropriate questions during interviews and job
screenings because of their sexual orientation. Transgender, those that cannot easily hide their
identities, suffer the most employment discrimination in Thailand, and are often limited to
working in roles in hospitality, entertainment or the sex work industry. Furthermore, lack of
relationship recognition also results in same-sex couples having unequal status to
heterosexual couples in areas like the power to access social services, spousal insurance and
benefits, and joint bank loans.

[caption id="attachment_7841" align="aligncenter" width="400"]

 A
Protest in Bangkok for LGTBQ+ rights (9)[/caption]

What about the Thai society?

The general trend however, is acceptance towards the LGBTQ community and all those who
are connected with it. many Thais have friends who are lesbian, gay or transgender. It is a
common to see transgender Thai citizens in Thailands biggest cities (5). The country is
known as a common holiday destination for LGBTQ community members. Travellers get the
feeling that it is accepted nation wide, because you see it at all bigger tourist attractions and
destinations (3). From the outside Thailand is portraying itself as a tolerant country to all
LGBTQ+ citizens and travellers (3). Recently the government pushed a law in the parliament
chamber that is set to give transgender people a chance to get a "cicil partnership". It is
planned to be the equivalent of a marriage licence for heterosexual couples (6). This could be
seen as a small step forward. With this law the Thai government is thereby  degrading a
partnership between transgender people. Because in the end a "cicil partnership" and a
marriage is not the same which makes this law discriminating transgender people again (4).
But the transgender community has organised itself over the years and voiced it concern.
Since the broader acceptance of transgender, gays and lesbians  a growing number of
celebrities have outet themselves as LGBTQ members (6). This is very well taken buy the
Thai society and there is a growing number of people who out themselves and are being
accepted. This growing community voices itself via demonstrations and other protest from.

Light at the end of the tunnel 

[caption id="attachment_7932" align="alignright" width="300"]

 Thailand's transgender
politician Pauline Ngarmpring (6)[/caption]

LGBTQ issues don't seem to be included in formal sex education and aren't integrated into
the final national curriculum (2). Not only is LGBTQ not mentioned in sex education classes,
but there are reports of negative portrayals of LGBT people in class textbooks that label
homosexuals as deviants. This  can create a negative atmosphere around kids resulting in a
negative thought towards LGBTQ community members (7). This is further deepened by
school regulations to pressure kids to choose School uniform which clearly indicated male or
female gender at a young age (7).  While there's some appearance of acceptance for LGBT
persons in Thai society, many face discrimination from family, education, media, legal,
government, economic and non secular structures, institutions and establishments (7). There's
an excellent juxtaposition between how Thailand is portrayed globally as a haven for LGBT
tourism and also the actual acceptance of LGBT persons within Thailand itself. Most of the
Thai society accepts LGBTQ+ people and supports them. However, the Thai government still
has to show that there are legally accepted as well (2). Thailand can feel for travellers and
bystanders as a heaven for the LGBTQ+ community, but in reality the face discrimination by
many laws.

References

(1) Equaldex (2020). LBTQ rights in Thailand. Retrieved at 25th March 2021.
https://www.equaldex.com/region/thailand

(2) UNDP, USAID (2014). Being LGBT in Asia: Thailand Country Report. Bangkok.
Retrieved at 26th March 2021. https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/54ed82784.pdf

(3)Allyson Jennings (2018). How friendly is Thailand for LGBTQ+ travellers?. Retrieved at
26th March 2021. https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/southeast-asia/thailand/
thailand-for-lgbtqi-travellers

(4) Deutsche Welle (2019). Thailand´s Transgender politician Pauline Ngarmpring: Ì do it for
future generations`. Retrieved at 25th March 2021. https://www.dw.com/en/thailands-
transgender-politician-pauline-ngarmpring-i-do-it-for-future-generations/a-47977766

(5)LGL (2015). Thailand introduces first law to protect LGBT people. Retrieved at 25th
March 2021. https://www.lgl.lt/en/?p=10965

(6) ABC News (2019). Pauline Ngarmpring. Retrieved at 26th March.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-22/pauline-ngarmpring-1/10928620?nw=0

(7) Patrik Winn, The World (2020). Thailand set to legalize LGBTQ unions, a rare step in
Asia. Retrieved at 25th March 2021. https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-08-07/thailand-set-
legalize-lgbtq-unions-rare-step-asia

(8) Bloomberg, (2019).People rally for LGBT rights in Bangkok Retrieved at 28th March
2021. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-27/thailand-may-be-first-in-
southeast-asia-to-allow-same-sex-unions

(9) Nikkei Asia, (2019). Thailands LBGTQ movement must embrace bill to legalize same-
sex unions. Retrieved at 26th March 2021. https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Thailand-s-
LGBTQ-movement-must-embrace-bill-to-legalize-same-sex-unions