A long struggle that has changed the country’s view of the LGBTQIA community
In this report by Jonathan Head (BBC), we see the transformation that has made Thailand a haven for the entire LGBTQIA community over the years.
Although homosexuality was decriminalised in 1956, the local population did not accept this change in society and in fact members of the LGBTQIA community were marginalised and suffered discrimination both locally and in the workplace.
Change came in the early 2000s when the international LGBTQIA movement managed to influence the cultural and social fabric of Thailand. This was thanks to the increased visibility of LGBTQIA people in the media, which normalised different sexual orientations and gender identities.
In 2015, the Gender Equality Act was passed, prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Although same-sex marriage is not yet legally recognised, the Thai government has introduced several progressive policies to provide greater protection and rights for LGBTQIA citizens, and efforts to legalise civil unions are underway, with widespread public support.
Thailand’s transformation is nothing short of a miracle.