QueerMango founders Nedine Kachorn, Ilaria Nardone and Ali Frankland at last month’s IDAHOT event. Photo: Courtesy QueerMango
For all its famous dichotomies, Bangkok is a place abundant with sexual and gender diversity in part because it is discussed so little.
Of that sexual plurality, it’s expressions of male sexuality that get the most attention and acceptance, while women have a lower profile and enjoy a much smaller social scene.
To put a crack in that and help build the conversation and community, a group of women who identify as queer are creating a new platform here in The Big Mango, an online community and lifestyle portal called “QueerMango” intended to develop the community of lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer women in Bangkok.
It goes live tomorrow with a launch party and exhibition, and we sent some questions to QueerMango founders Nedine Kachorn, Ilaria Nardone, Ali Frankland and Maxine Gibson to learn more.
Why QueerMango? What’s the concept?
ILARIA: Tired of playing second fiddle to all the information out there in cyberspace for the gay men’s community, QueerMango was a concept born to fill the gaping hole of where to find relevant and up-to-date information on the queer women’s community in Bangkok – the Big Mango!. We aim to showcase all that is queer and relevant to queer women. A place to access information on news, events, entertainment and opinions – all centered around the diverse needs of an expat, transient and local community struggling to come together.
Who is the team making it happen? Bangkok’s LGBT scene is becoming more active and many LGBT events are happening. What is your goal?
ILARIA: We are a group of women who work or study full time and would like to see the LGBTQI+ community flourish from all perspectives. We are a driven group coming from different countries with a passion for improving the community in which we identify with. With a wide range of skills and experience the QueerMango group is loud, fun and most definitely queer!
We want to provide an access point of information. Often a lack of information in English prevents some people from even knowing certain events are taking place, and this, particularly for newcomers, can be quite isolating.
Since last year in Bangkok, we have seen more girl-oriented events which are shaking up the community in different ways; from Go Grrrls and Vibe to Lesla. However, we are also seeing more events aimed at raising awareness, like IDAHOT. As a consequence, QueerMango hopes to raise the visibility of the community through online information.
Queers of Bangkok exhibition Photo: Ali Frankland
Why the focus on queer woman in Bangkok?
MAX: The simple fact that there aren’t too many sources online that give answers in English to questions like, “Where are the lesbian and queer girls in Bangkok?” or “Which queer-oriented art/film festival could be on this weekend?” or “What’s the status of things for LBTQI+ rights in this region?”
The issue is that sometimes it is difficult, especially for expats or tourists, to get information on all this unless you already know someone inside the scene. Most of the online content you can find is outdated and focuses more on dating than on actual information. Plus lesbians and queer women are shy animals, and if you are not into the Tom/Dee culture, it is not easy to find other like minded-people or events.
What’s the plan for QueerMango and how will it affect / influence Bangkok’s LGBT scene in the future?
NEDINE: We hope to create a hub which gives a starting point for debate and at the same time provides the practical information that allows us to enjoy our community through whatever medium that might be. In addition, QueerMango would like to be seen as bringing the English-speaking community closer to the local LGBTQI+ movement and thus, in turn, to try and lower the boundaries that exist between Thai and non-Thai groups, and between straight and non-straight people too!
5. Friday’s launch party is also the opening of the ‘Queers of Bangkok’ photo exhibition. What’s that about?
ALI: “Queers of Bangkok” is an ongoing photographic project shot and arranged by a member of the QueerMango team. Looking to give an insight into the world of queer women in Bangkok and their personal journey, the exhibition seeks to increase the exposure of queer women by exploring the visual depiction of queerness and the identities that exist within.
We believe the exhibition empowers women to be who they are comfortable being, with pride, without having to conform to a pre-defined label or specific stereotype.
What do you want people to take away from the exhibition and do you think it will be a success?
ALI: We hope the exhibition awakens the dialogue within yourself and also with those around you.
For sure, it is an event for those who love people, enjoy hearing stories, viewing art and reflecting on society. And, as long as people leave the exhibition either talking about what they have seen or thinking about themselves and their own story, then we will have succeeded.
FIND IT:
5:30pm, Friday, June 12
23 Bar and Gallery
Soi Nana
MRT Hua Lamphong
Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified a photo as being a still from a 2012 film, in fact it was a photograph for the exhibition “Queers of Bangkok” by Ali Frankland.
