Transgender Rights in Thailand

Global Seminar

               I have always been interested in learning how culture can influence the way someone may see their sexuality. Growing up in a Christian household, sex and identity was something I never discussed, especially as a child of Chinese immigrants. Sexuality was something that does not even have a word. On the first day of class, Dr. Kang asked us for the top five words we thought of when we thought of the word Thailand. This was cool because some are words I would never use in my family. My words were:

1)     HIV/AIDS

2)     Sex workers (service workers)

3)     Humid

4)     Big Bites

5)     Government

There were others in the class who also had the same ideas as me.

Many of us joined this class because we wanted to learn more about HIV/AIDS in Thailand. As an undergrad in community college, I did my research on government policy in Thailand and thought it would be a great opportunity to study about HIV right at the source. During the first few weeks in class, we learned about how gender is associated with sexuality. Here in Thailand, people see themselves as a specific gender based on what they are attracted too, of course there are many exceptions to this case. Men who have sex with men do not necessarily identify with themselves as being gay. In many Southeast Asian countries being gay can be a criminal offense so people do not label themselves as so.

In a lecture from Social Science Professor Kath Khangpiboon, co-founder of the Thai Transgender Alliance we learned that Thailand is not as LGBTQA+ as it seems. There are little rights for members of the Transgender community. Their identification cards which allow them to demonstrate Thai citizenship do not reflect their gender only their sex. For example, if someone was born with male genitals at birth but identifies as a female, that person would not be allowed to change their identity on their card from “male” to “female.” They are discriminated in the workplace. Professor Khangpiboon is one of the first successful Transgender professors who won a case against her University who did not hire her based on her background. The administration found a photo of her with a Penis lipstick from Japan and thought it reflected her character. She fought back saying that the accusations that she was “unfit” to be a lecturer “illegitimate.” Eventually, she won, and was hired after a three year court battle.

Hearing Kath’s story was really inspiring because it demonstrated perseverance. Transgender people are not in places of power in Thai society, so hearing her story was very eye-opening.

Although this trip is not over, I already know I will miss Thailand.