Still in the Shadows

The Nation, 4 November 2001

Thailand's gay and lesbian movement is taking baby steps compared to its Western cousins. Paisarn Likhitpreechakul explores some of the growing pains.

That shadow, my likeness, that goes to and fro, seeking a livelihood, chattering, chaffering;

How often I find myself standing and looking at it where it flits;

How often I question and doubt whether that is really me;

But in these, and among my lovers, and caroling my songs,

O I never doubt whether that is really me.

-Walt Whitman, "That shadow, my likeness"

During the 19th century, even an accomplished and daring American poet such as Walt Whitman found it hard to reconcile the private "shadow" of his homosexuality with the public self he put before the world. Sadly,the conflict Whitman described more than a century ago is still a fact of life for most gay people in Thailand today.

Like many gay men and lesbians, homophile organisations have their own difficulties finding their right place in the world. Although Buddhist Thailand is socially tolerant of homosexuality, "it can also make people pretend that something doesn't exist," according to Nattayada na Songkhla, a columnist and former editor of Thailand Tattler magazine.

"Everyone must realise that being homosexual is just one part of who gay people are. It doesn't define them," he adds, in a refrain gay activists find themselves repeating in media interviews year after year.

Thailand's considerable population of gay people and their organisations frequently come out to raise public awareness of their existence. But perception of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people rarely encompasses the complexities that make all of us human.

Has Thailand's gay rights movement failed to bring those flesh-and-blood realities out of the shadows? Nattayada answers with another question: "Is there a movement?"

That, actually, is the question.

When ever the gay community comes into the public eye - as with the Minister of the Interior's short-lived initiative earlier this year to legalise gay marriages,or his subsequent new moral and social order decrees that appear to come down harder on gay-related businesses than others - there is hardly any response from the gay community, other than a few voices in the wilderness.

This evening will see the third annual pride parade, featuring a procession of flamboyant floats, make its way down Silom Road to celebrate gay liberation.But under the circumstances, what is there really to celebrate?

Pakorn Pimton, the key organiser of Bangkok Gay Festival, admits that gay liberation is still an uphill battle in Thailand. "There is discrimination [against gay people] everywhere. For example, those in civil services find it impossible to get promoted."

Because there is no legal support for same-sex unions, gay people find their basic rights violated even in matters of life and death. For example, if one partner is hit by a car, there's no guarantee that the other will be allowed to see him or her in the ICU, as gay and lesbian partners are not recognised as"family".

Even the parade itself has come under public criticism for outrageous drag costumes and scenes of men kissing each other in the street when previous parades were selectively transmitted by the popular media.

In order to convince the police to grant permission for this year's parade, Pakorn decided to change the image by toning down the nudity and emphasising different aspects of Thai culture and traditions in a colourful gay context.

Others have more fundamental doubts about the value of parades. "They're fun and colourful, but I don't expect them to bring about much in terms of positive social change," said Chantalak Raksayu, co-ordinator of the lesbian group Anjaree. "While we are represented inthe parade every year, we find the format too limited to get our messages across. Most of the time, it reinforces the public's stereotypes."

Well-integrated into the women's rights and human rights movements, the Anjaree group is likely the strongest representative of gay and lesbian voices in Thai society today.Within their limitations, they have been trying from behind the scenes to push for changes in government policy.

But now there is a new dimension to that struggle. This year, Anjaree will also join the "Pink in the Park" event in Lumphini Park, which also takes place today. Organised by the 15 member groups of the Pride Coalition, the event will consist of games and sports competition, panel discussions and awareness booths providing information about gay-related issues.

"We have skipped so many steps that have to come before celebration.We take it[liberation] for granted because we didn't have to fight for anything. This year will be about those missing links," says the Pride Coalition's Michael Chawanasai, a Chicago-born Thai artist, referring to the situation inthe West where the gay rights movement emerged as a reaction against police oppression and homophobic violence.

Thailand's gay groups arose in the 80s as a result of the Aids epidemic. Even today, most of their activities still centre around the disease and its prevention - both within and beyond the gay population.

While the fight against Aids is a noble crusade that requires urgent and continuous attention, Thailand's gay groups have largely ignored other issues that also need to be addressed: discrimination, gay teen suicides, child prostitution,etc. They also lack a strong umbrella organisation to co-ordinate among the various gay groups that provide social support for gay people.

"Maybe the social temperature is now just right for that," says Natee Teerarojjanapongs,a well-known Aids activist now involved with the Pride Coalition. "There are many upstart gay groups, and the public have increasingly opened up to gay people... People no longer object to gay characters on TV."

The Pride Coalition emphasises that there's a need to broaden the appeal. Although he once led a dance troupe to campaign against Aids for several years, Natee fears a backlash the Western gay rights movement suffered in the early 80s: "We don't want people to link gays with Aids."

The organisers are also keen to invite members of the press to their events, so they can see other aspects of gay life apart from the eye-catching parade."Gay people are not just your usual hairdressers, but a diverse group of people, and we want to reflect that diversity," says Natee.

Although there is an obvious need for co-operative work among all gay groups, the next step will not be easy. Pakornand Chantalak agree that the main obstacles lie with the powers-that-be."They wouldn't let us register an organisation with the word 'gay' or 'lesbian' in the name," says Chantalak. "Society leaves us alone as long as we keep quiet. But once we ask for equal rights, they start to call us 'abnormal' or 'radical'."

Asa result of this shunning, gay organisations tend to be marginal, fragmented illegal structures. Even more debilitating to the movement are the internal rifts. Pakorn, for one, is tired of people criticising his leadership.

"When I organised the first parade, some people watched to see me fail... If it weren't for the first Bangkok Gay Festival, there wouldn't be those in Phuket or Pattaya, or other openly gay activities."

Despite criticism for including commercial-sex businesses in the parade, Pakorn defends its spirit, "I don't discriminate against anyone. I know many of the sex workers, and I want them to join the parade, make friends and learn how to protect themselves from Aids, just like anyone else."

Regardless of their differences, both Bangkok Gay Festival and the Pride Coalition are counting on those who still cling to their shadows to come forward and bring about a real gay rights movement in this country.

Perhaps it's time for them to step out into the light, like Walt Whitman, proud and whole, never doubting who they are.

Pink in the Park will be held today between 11am-6pm at Lumpini Park and Bangkok Gay Festival parade will start at 6pm from Silom Road.