In my lifetime, I never thought Thailand, my home country, would get legal marriage equality. For this reason, I checked out the Bangkok Pride this year as a homecoming treat. That got me thinking about how far we’ve come and moved me to tears.
Despite the solid visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in contemporary Thai society, Pride events in the capital city were relatively recent. I’d speculate that its value wasn’t realised. Now, Thailand has joined the marriage equality club. And with the support of governments and the private sector, Pride Month is filling in tourism schedules.
The parade was led by a mockup of the Thai Constitutional symbol, a palm-leaf manuscript on a double-tier offering bowl, resonating one on top of the Democracy Monument but with rainbow colours—an obvious metaphor. Then it was followed by LGBTQ+ flags along the route of a shopping mall strip.
With unbearable humidity, my sleeveless shirt and undies were wet with sweat. I popped into the shopping mall at the main stage and came back out when the parade was almost over. People were still hanging out and flaunting their outfits to the cameras.
I’ve covered LGBTQ+ events on this blog since 2007 in Sydney. Sydney Mardi Gras gave me big opportunities to showcase my expressions through camera lenses and boosted my confidence to push through goals in creative fields. Then, travelling opened up chances to experience these celebrations in different continents: Washington DC, Barcelona, and last year in Bogotá. Such a blessing to live to see equal rights progress around the world! I was moved. However, many people in many countries are still struggling for their rights of sexual orientation a gender identity.