Is Thailand really a haven for LGBTQ+ people? A group of Chulalongkorn University students on Tuesday hosted an exhibition and discussion to dispel myths and misconceptions about gender diversity.
Organized by arts students of Chulalongkorn University, Pride: Our Story kicked off on Tuesday with an installation sharing personal experiences of LGBTQ+ youths and how deeply rooted misconceptions and prejudices affect them in daily life.
“Foreigners would look at [Thailand] as a queer heaven, but as residents, do we think it’s true?” said Sorrawit Khanhae, a third-year history student.
The display, therefore, touches upon gender inequality from several aspects, from history, laws, healthcare, and family, and sexuality.
One corner shows news headlines of stories about LGBTQ+ people being portrayed negatively or being physically assaulted. In another corner sits a mannequin with two blood bags to show how LGBTQ+ individuals, especially gay men, face stigma when donating blood.
Near the end of the exhibition, each participant can write encouraging words on a piece of paper and insert it into a box. In exchange, they get a random note from another participant.
A talk held in the evening included student Parinyaset Pathanukhom, drag and makeup artist Sompobb “Hype” Kittisaratham, and activist Nada Chaiyajit – who shared their personal stories and opinions on how to raise the visibility of LGBTQ+ people.
Arts professor Verita Sriratana, who is lesbian, read a heartfelt letter that her Catholic mother wrote for her in 2006, when she came out.
“There is nothing wrong with you. You are as you are and that’s it. It is your life you live now, so live it the way you want it to be,” Verita reads from the letter.
Faculty Dean Suradet Chotiudompant said the exhibition was important as it provided a “safe space” for LGBTQ+ individuals to exchange conversations toward positive outcomes in society.
“What we need is not more tolerance, but we need acceptance and understanding of diversity,” Suradet said. “The world is more diverse than we think, and it is beautiful.”
It’s Pride: Our Story’s first edition, and plans are for arts students to stage it every October, Sorrawit said.
The event will run until 7pm today at the Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building at Chulalongkorn University.
