Joyful tears were shed inside Bangkok Art and Culture Centre earlier this month when the Ardhanareeswara Award was given to individuals and groups who worked tirelessly to advocate for LGBTI rights and gender equality. And no one could've said it better than veteran activist Anjana Suvarnananda of the Anjaree group, a long-time organisation that advocates for lesbian and gay rights. This line of work is not something people usually get praised or recognised for.
"We were rather used to hiding. We faced judgemental eyes, insults and complaints," said Anjana. She called the 80s -- when she founded Anjaree -- a dark time to come out and fight for one's rights. No one was ready to open up and share their stories. And the media was referring to homosexual people as society's scum.
A lot of things have changed from that "pioneer" period, yet several things remain as they have always been. In media and entertainment, we're seeing increasing appearances of LGBTI content and characters -- both in positive and negative portrayals. Our transgender beauty queens and models are building names on international scenes. Still, the law has yet to budge. And coming out is still a luxury not everyone can afford. In employment, many still face discrimination over their gender identity and sexual orientation.
Anjana is calling this time and era a new dawn. A new beginning that will hopefully see a new light shining on LGBTI advocacy. For her and others honoured at the awards ceremony, they agree the law and social acceptance are two things that will need to further improve.
For renowned academic Assoc Prof Seri Wongmontha, he views that -- currently in Thailand -- the law is actually not too much of a concern.
"We've come far, but not far enough," said Seri during his talk on Thai society and the change towards gender equality at the awards ceremony, adding that members of the LGBTI communities are legally accepted. He alluded to the rather flawed Gender Equality Act 2015 in that, at least, gender equality is the law of the land. What's more difficult to attain now is social acceptance, and that LGBTI people who are being affected by ill-treatment based on their gender are not speaking up to protect their own rights.
"If they don't take action, others can't do that on their behalf," he said.
From same-sex marriage to changing a gender-specific title, to being able to sign off on a partner's medical procedure, asking for a joint loan, establishing gender-neutral bathrooms, and more, Seri believes it will take a louder and stronger voice for the lawmakers to hear that people need those things to happen. The state will then have to come up with accompanying laws in different dimensions to the main Act that could altogether allow LGBTI people to attain a more equal standard of living as others in society.
Thitiyanun Nakpor -- executive director of the Pattaya-based transgender group Sisters Foundation -- in her acceptance speech for the Ardhanareeswara's Pride Award on behalf of her organisation, acknowledged the global assumption of Thailand as being a gay paradise.
"We may be able to live in this society without being stoned, without being murdered or hung by the neck as in some countries," she said, adding that that should be a social standard, not something extraordinary. But while LGBTI people have the ability to live freely in the country, Thitiyanun believes they have no legal space and rights.
"In the eyes of the law, transgender people don't exist. We are like ghosts," she said. "And then people face violence and discrimination from society. It's difficult to just even get a decent job [being a transgender person], and that leads to no job, no money, and just no good standard of living in general."
In terms of legal changes, Thitiyanun said a gender recognition law is something that should be pushed for immediately. Once the country has attained that, the rest -- from marriage to titles -- will soon follow.
One of the obstacles preventing the country from proceeding further with legal acceptance could be that LGBTI people are not well represented within parliament, she later suggested in a follow-up interview. And it's not enough for LGBTI to simply raise their own voices alone.
What might actually be stronger are the voices of supporters and allies.
"The friends, families, people in society and more. Because we exist in this society with them, with our peers in all genders. Their support counts for a lot," she said.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017
TYING THE KNOT
We are hearing wedding bells ringing! This year, the world rejoiced for Finland, Malta, Germany and most recently Australia for finally legalising same-sex marriages. Territories and states such as the Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands and more also shared in the same legal accomplishment.
Sadly for the people of Bermuda, same-sex marriage was granted in May this year, but the new government is now in the process of banning it and replacing the right to marriage with domestic partnership instead.
For Asia, Taiwan is on its way to become the first Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage. In May, Taiwan's constitutional court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to be married. The government now has two years to amend the law to align with the constitution.
A scene from Call Me By Your Name. Photo: Sony Pictures Classics via AP
CELLULOID GOLD
The year started off with Barry Jenkins' coming-of-age drama Moonlight nabbing the Academy Award for Best Picture. And now, we're rooting for Luca Guadagnino's Call Me By Your Name to rise to the top with its current unanimous acclaim. The film is now being nominated for the 75th Golden Globe Awards, set to take place in January next year, and rumours are it may even get some Oscar nods as well. The film is currently showing at House RCA.
For a Thai LGBTI film, Malila: The Farewell Flower by Anucha Boonyawatana has been winning international recognition since its premiere in Busan. But Thai fans will just have to wait a little longer to see this home-grown tale when it opens in the country early next year.
BEAUTY IN TRANSITION
It was a historic moment when French transgender model Ines Rau was announced as Playboy's newest Playmate in October. This move by the long-time men's lifestyle magazine was received with both positivity and negativity by different crowds. But Playboy, now led by Cooper Hefner, stood its ground and supported its centrefold.
Hailing from last year's hype, we finally got to see how The Face Thailand Season 3 played out in February. It was the first time the female-oriented show decided to welcome transgender contestants on the same stage and as equals to cisgender women. While the two transgender contestants that made it in — Chananchida "Blossom" Roongpetchrat and Nathachat "Hana" Chancheaw — didn't quite reach the top, they will get a second chance along with the other girls to return in the show's next season, The Face All-Stars, to be aired in February.
In its inaugural male version, The Face Men also welcomed Tanaphop "Third" Yoovichit, an openly gay, androgynous male model to the show. He made it to the top five.
OUTSTANDING LGBTI PERSONALITIES
Tanwarin Sukkhapisit. Photo courtesy of Tanwarin Sukkhapisit
Tanwarin Sukkhapisit
After a seven-year ban, Insects In The Backyard was finally allowed to flutter its wings thanks to director Tanwarin's unyielding faith and relentless pursuit to resurrect his queer drama. The film, Tanwarin's first feature back in 2010, tells the story of a family headed by a transvestite father, who is also played by Tanwarin himself. It was deemed indecent and banned in 2010, before a court case paved the way for a release.
Nada Chaiyajit. Photo: Melalin Mahavongtrakul
Nada Chaiyajit
The gender advocate made an appeal to her university to allow her to use a photo of herself dressed as a woman on her transcript despite her title saying "mister". In going through the lengthy procedure, she watched some opportunities in life and scholarship deadlines pass by. Still, she won the case and remains hopeful to have a chance to practice law and to even become a judge in this country, even though she is a katoey. Nada is now helping and guiding fellow transgender persons in their own appeal procedures at various educational institutions.
Pauline Ngarmpring. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill
Pauline Ngarmpring
Formerly known as Pinit, founder of the Cheerthai Power group, Pauline's coming out as a transgender woman this year took the entire nation by storm. Her life was scrutinised, criticised and thrust into the glaring spotlight. Her decision to come out later in life serves as both an inspiration for others and a spark for debate that puts LGBTI awareness in the open. Pauline later revealed she has always known she self-identifies as a woman since her youth, but never expressed it until recently. Pauline is now living her true self and has since raised her voice for the unheard and helped to raise public awareness on gender diversity and acceptance.
Niti Chaichitatorn. Photo: Wisit Thamngern
Niti Chaichitatorn
Better known as Pompam, this TV personality became famous for co-hosting the queer-oriented travel show Toey Tiaw Thai. He is now hosting Talk With Toey Tonight on GMM TV, which won him this year's Best Entertainment Presenter/Host at the 22nd Asian Television Awards. At the ceremony held in Singapore, he dedicated the award to gender equality.
