Pride is not just for Pride month?
The coalition of LGBTQI groups are hosting the premier Thailand Pride Festival 2022 during 25-27 November 2022 in Bangkok
Although globally June is the Pride month, however, national Pride events take place throughout the year in many other places at different times, for example, Sydney’s Mardi Gras takes place in February and Taiwan Pride takes place in October.
As the hype of LGBTQI movement in Thailand is becoming more popular and visible, the coalition of LGBTQI groups, a network of individuals and community-based organizations working to improve the human rights of LGBTQI community for decades, are hosting the premier Thailand Pride Festival 2022 during 25-27 November 2022 in Bangkok as the annual and national event. Under the concept of “Unity&Diversity”, this festival aims to raise awareness of diversity and inclusion among the public, while encouraging Thai LGBTQI and diversified communities to speak up their voices against stigmatization and discrimination.
“We hope Thailand Pride Festival will be an annual event that bridges the previous Bangkok Pride festival that were held in November each year – with the last one taking place in 2007.”
Said Midnight, APCOM Executive Director, he added,
“as we begin to recover from the effects of the pandemic, we really need support from all sectors of society to rebuild better and ensure that we all have the same rights and access to opportunities. We can unite in all our diversity which we should also celebrate.”
“Speaking of Pride, for me it is about everyone having Pride in human dignity and gender diversity.”,
added Jintana Chanbamrung, Director General, Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development
“Because everyone has their own uniqueness. We believe that everyone has the same opportunity and equal rights no matter who you are.”
commented Nattinee Netraumpai, Head of External Affairs and Media Relations, Unilever Thailand
“Pride has a role to communicate to the wider society for better understanding, and when this is achieved the process of amending the law for equal rights for LGBTQI+ will eventually happen.”,
said Teerasil Tapen, Executive Director, The Americas Region, Tourism Authority of Thailand mentioned.
Not just another Pride
Apart from taking place in November, this 3-day festival offer more than just the Pride march. The activities will set up in many places as the scheduled time, so that the guests can open the event guide map and enjoy participating in the events which they prefer. The activities will also be setup by various stakeholders covering arts performance, cultures exhibitions, interactive event, marketplace, concert, and activities to discuss about LGBTQI and vulnerability issues etc.
The most important thing is that the festival will expand into diversity and inclusion to not only LGBTQI target groups, but also vulnerable and marginalized populations, according to the pledge to “leave no one behind” settled in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Leaving no one behind means social inclusion, which leads to ensuring their visibility and participation. To achieve this, various stakeholders and sectors will join a hand and make this Thailand Pride Festival not just another Pride.
“As Thailand eased its COVID-19 restrictions, Thailand Pride Festival 2022 offers a great opportunity for marginalised groups – not only LGBTQI to show solidarity. We seek wide support from all sectors of our society to ensure that all groups can get the same rights and opportunity as everyone.”,
said Atitaya Asa, TEAK – Trans Empowerment member and Thailand Pride Festival Working Group
Key highlights
25 November 2022
- Physical structures and signs of the rainbow flags in Silom Road
- Side Events in the scheduled location by stakeholders
- HERO Awards 2022 at the Australian Embassy by APCOM
- HERO Awards 2022 After Party by APCOM
26 November 2022
- Physical structures and signs of the rainbow flags in Silom Road
- Thailand Pride Festival Party by Silom communities and partners
27 November 2022
- Full scale of the festival in one place at Lumpini/Silom area
- Marketplace
- Side Events
- Arts and Culture exhibitions
- Main Stage for concert, discussion, talk and interview, performances
- Thailand Pride Festival March on Silom Road
“Pride is SOUL, Pride is LIFE, and Pride should take place throughout the year until we have equality. Let us come and celebrate together at Thailand Pride Festival 2022!”,
commented Nachale Boonyapisomparn, transgender activist and member of the Thailand Pride Festival Working Group.
Stay tuned for the updated information at https://www.apcom.org/
