Group calls for strengthening gender equality law

[rooster59]

Group calls for strengthening gender equality law

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE SUNDAY NATION

 

AN LGBTIQ rights group has called for changes to the Gender Equality Act to improve enforcement of the law, noting that it took over a year for action to be taken on a clear case of gender injustice – and even then the response was too weak.

 

The Togetherness for Equality Action (TEA) group on Wednesday publicised correspondence with the national gender discrimination committee relating to claims of discrimination against non-heterosexual students at Tawanchai Wittaya School in Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

According to a letter to the Tawanchai Wittaya School principal, the committee, which has a duty to investigate and take action on gender discrimination cases, informed the school that there was a complaint about the school’s student admission policy.

 

It said the policy, which bans LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning) students from studying at the school, was gender discrimination, and asked the school to reconsider it to comply with Gender Equality Act.

 

The school principal could not be reached for comment, but earlier reports stated the school had reasoned that LGBTIQ students would have trouble adapting because it was a boarding school and had a religious mission to produce students with “good morals” according to Buddhist values.

 

In a separate letter to TEA, the committee explained that the complaint made by the rights group did not match the rules of the Gender Equality Act, which requires the discriminated persons or their representative to submit a complaint. Therefore, the group’s complaint was turned down. TEA member Chumaporn Waaddao said that although the gender discrimination committee had taken some action on this case, it took too long and did too little to stop the discrimination.

“It took one-and-a-half years for the committee to exercise its power in this case. Moreover, the letter to the school is merely a suggestion, which does not ensure that the school will comply,” Chumaporn said.

 

“Moreover, the committee did not punish the school or provide any compensation for those who lost opportunities from the school’s poor policy, even though they have such power under the law.”

 

She said this case demonstrated that there were problems with enforcement under the current Gender Equality Act. She said that the committee agreed that Tawanchai Wittaya School discriminated against the LGBTIQ students, but it had rejected the complaint from TEA because of the law.

 

Moreover, she noted that most cases accepted by the committee were about the rights of LGBTIQ students to dress as per their gender identification, but not about more serious cases of discrimination.

 

Chumaporn stressed that Thai society is full of gender discrimination and inequality, and the current law contained too many flaws that made it ineffective as a means to promote equality.

 

“The main issue of this law is in Article 18, which allows only the victims of discrimination to file a complaint to the committee,” she said.

 

“In many case, discrimination victims are too afraid to seek justice and it is the duty of rights groups to pursue their cases for them.” 

 

She said another problem was in Article 17, which exempts gender discrimination that is part of a religious practice or any practice that relates to national stability. She stressed that gender equality must be protected in all circumstances.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30334652

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-24

[DoctorG]

You have to keep up, because it is added to frequently.

 

At full throttle, the letters wind up something like LGBTQQIP2SAA – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,

• Two Q’s to cover both bases (queer and questioning);
• I for Intersex, people with two sets of genitalia or various chromosomal differences;
• P for Pansexual, people who refuse to be pinned down on the Kinsey scale;
• 2S for Two-Spirit, a tradition in many First Nations that considers sexual minorities to have both male and female spirits;
• A for Asexual, people who do not identify with any orientation; and
• A for Allies, recognizing that the community thrives best with loving supporters, although they are not really part of the community itself.

[Chris Lawrence]

9 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The school principal could not be reached for comment, but earlier reports stated the school had reasoned that LGBTIQ students would have trouble adapting because it was a boarding school and had a religious mission to produce students with “good morals” according to Buddhist values.

So you don't have good morals if you are queer/fagot/homosexual/gay any way u know what I mean. The school does not appear to want the matter resolved.

 

May be better to give new dilemma for school: the support for same sex marriage in the country. 

[Bluespunk]

9 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The school principal could not be reached for comment, but earlier reports stated the school had reasoned that LGBTIQ students would have trouble adapting because it was a boarding school and had a religious mission to produce students with “good morals” according to Buddhist values.

Bigots. 

[i claudius]

I vote for strengthening the law of equality for ordinary straight men .we are being discriminated against by all and sundry

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Bluespunk]

32 minutes ago, i claudius said:

I vote for strengthening the law of equality for ordinary straight men .we are being discriminated against by all and sundry

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

I’m male, straight and a number of other catagories, that apparently are being discriminated against. 

 

And, guess what?

 

I'm not. 

Edited December 24, 2017 by Bluespunk

[i claudius]

I’m male, straight and a number of other catagories, that apparently are being discriminated against. 
 
And, guess what?
 
I'm not. 

What? Not what you say you are?

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Bluespunk]

36 minutes ago, i claudius said:

What? Not what you say you are?

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

I’m not discriminated against. 

 

[DrTuner]

15 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

I’m not discriminated against. 

 

Of course you are. Most straight men couldn't give a <deleted> if you ask them for something, but will gladly obey a woman in hopes of some totty. Such is life.

[Bluespunk]

11 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

Of course you are. Most straight men couldn't give a <deleted> if you ask them for something, but will gladly obey a woman in hopes of some totty. Such is life.

That’s not discrimination. 

[nisakiman]

4 hours ago, Chris Lawrence said:

So you don't have good morals if you are queer/fagot/homosexual/gay any way u know what I mean. The school does not appear to want the matter resolved.

 

May be better to give new dilemma for school: the support for same sex marriage in the country. 

I think there's probably a lot more to this than meets the eye. As a boarding school, if they open the doors to gay / trans people, they then have to deal with the dilemma of who sleeps in which dorm, who uses which bathrooms, etc etc. It basically opens a can of worms that they can do without. If it was a day school, then I'd agree that it counts as unfair discrimination, but as a boarding school, I can sympathise with them wanting to avoid the complexities and expense of having to accommodate a small minority with varying demands.

[seajae]

I was under the impression that this type of decision made under religious view/beliefs couldnt be challenged, think a lot of these types of actions are purely to challenge and cause disruption. Everyone is entitled to equality but some of these challenges are absolute bullsh*t these days, as they say, it wasnt a complaint from a student but a group.  While I am not religious, they do have a faith based following that everyone is aware of, if that is the base of their argument then there is nothing that can be done, if on the other hand they are discriminating for something other than religious beliefs then they have a problem

[jak2002003]

48 minutes ago, seajae said:

I was under the impression that this type of decision made under religious view/beliefs couldnt be challenged, think a lot of these types of actions are purely to challenge and cause disruption. Everyone is entitled to equality but some of these challenges are absolute bullsh*t these days, as they say, it wasnt a complaint from a student but a group.  While I am not religious, they do have a faith based following that everyone is aware of, if that is the base of their argument then there is nothing that can be done, if on the other hand they are discriminating for something other than religious beliefs then they have a problem

The school is wrong.  It's stupid to have such petty arguments and discrimination.  However, the school seems a very bad place if it is holding up these kind of principles and teachings.  The gay people should be glad they are not at that school.... why would they want to go there to be made to feel they were evil and disgusting?

 

I would not send kids to a school like that, or any religious school.  Its like complaining that Jewish students where not allowed in a Catholic school!  Just stupid... same as the parents who send their kids to these places.  

 

Shut it down would be better, and just set up a school where everyone can get alone and get an education without all the times wasted on the religious junk.

[Sir Dude]

This subject is nothing different to many others as it is only given lip service. The institutional system that is in charge cares little for this and so many other subjects. Dream on people.

[Senechal]

Let's hope the gender insanity doesn't come here. The Western trend of labeling everyone who disagrees with you a "sexist", while pushing for openly oppressive equality-of-outcome is tearing the west apart.

[Dexlowe]

5 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

why would they want to go there to be made to feel they were evil and disgusting?

I wonder if you're not being a little hysterical. Do you believe that the school is encouraging this evil and disgusting mindset against LGBTQ? Or is it actually OK with LGBTQ, but just trying to maintain certain standards that it has adhered to for decades without anyone complaining? 

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, Senechal said:

Let's hope the gender insanity doesn't come here. The Western trend of labeling everyone who disagrees with you a "sexist", while pushing for openly oppressive equality-of-outcome is tearing the west apart.

Yeah, right, sure it is...

[Chris Lawrence]

17 hours ago, nisakiman said:

I think there's probably a lot more to this than meets the eye. As a boarding school, if they open the doors to gay / trans people, they then have to deal with the dilemma of who sleeps in which dorm, who uses which bathrooms, etc etc. It basically opens a can of worms that they can do without. If it was a day school, then I'd agree that it counts as unfair discrimination, but as a boarding school, I can sympathise with them wanting to avoid the complexities and expense of having to accommodate a small minority with varying demands.

I went to boarding school. One of my mates that slept in our dorm sang higher than normal. I wasn't threatened. Just because you are gay doesn't classify you as a deviate. In any event if you are approached by a gay person that proposition' you what would you say. I would be flattered and say no. You still have a choice.

[jak2002003]

10 hours ago, Dexlowe said:

I wonder if you're not being a little hysterical. Do you believe that the school is encouraging this evil and disgusting mindset against LGBTQ? Or is it actually OK with LGBTQ, but just trying to maintain certain standards that it has adhered to for decades without anyone complaining? 

Well, just imagine back when you were a young teenager.  Most people at that age are very sensitive about themselves and trying to find out their place in society.

 

If they were coming to terms with being gay, then they went with their parents to that school to be told that they would not be welcome because they are immoral and seen as evil in that religion... that they worry they would molest the other boys in the dorm.... you think that would not seriously hurt and upset that teenager?  That kind of thing would stay with them for life.  Or, perhaps worse, if they grew up in that school and started to realise they were gay.  They would have to hide their feelings from everyone, and if they were needing help, they would have no one to turn to for support, advise, or reassurance.  They could be bullied and no action taken against the bullies, in fact, they themselves might be expelled from the school.

 

Just because things have been adhered to for decades does not make it right.  In America black were slaves for decades, and non one complained.  Women were not allowed to vote for decades, animal blood sports were traditional.  Things should change for the better if we are to progress as a society.

[seajae]

biggest problem is when people try to put modern day standards on what happened in a time with different standards, it cant be done, we cant judge people of 50 years ago on todays standards as back then they were not as accepted as they are today. Everything takes time, what we accept today is a lot different, one thing that has not changed a great deal is religion, everyone is aware of what the churches stand for, if they disagree then they should just walk away and go where they are happy. Trying to force churches to change to suit them is  not the way to do it, it becomes really stupid trying to incriminate a church for following their religious beliefs just to prove a point. People are entitled to their own beliefs churches should not force their beliefs on anyone else and other groups should not try to force their beliefs on others as well, deliberately trying to do so helps no one, they need to accept there will be some that disagree with them and move on otherwise they are no better by forcing the issue, there are many other schools to go to. I accept people for who they are, I had a gay daughter and was very proud of her, I also have gay friends, I have no problems with the gay community  and I dont go out trying to cause them problems because they have different opinions/lifestyles, maybe those trying to push this sort of thing are the real ones with the problems and simply cant accept anyone that disagrees with them, people need to grow up and accept that others are entitled to their own beliefs.

 

[nisakiman]

4 hours ago, Chris Lawrence said:

I went to boarding school. One of my mates that slept in our dorm sang higher than normal. I wasn't threatened. Just because you are gay doesn't classify you as a deviate. In any event if you are approached by a gay person that proposition' you what would you say. I would be flattered and say no. You still have a choice.

No, I wasn't referring to that. Normal gay guys (or girls) are not a problem to accommodate - you basically just leave the students to sort it out between them. The vast majority of gay people are neither predatory nor threatening. I was thinking more in terms of the more recent phenomenon of trans people who 'identify' as another sex, and demand to use the facilities of the opposite gender.

 

What do you do with a trans guy who doesn't want to sleep in the men's dorm because he 'identifies' as a woman? Or vice versa?

 

It is, as I say, a can of worms for an educational facility which provides accommodation, and I can understand them not wanting to get embroiled in identity politics. Thailand of all places has a very relaxed attitude to the gay and trans scene, and I don't really think the people in charge of this school are likely to have any prejudice where the sexuality of their students is concerned. But they have an eye on the workability of the situation, and of the complications likely to arise from admitting trans people. I think their stance is most likely based on the practicalities of dealing with the situation.

[tryasimight]

On 12/24/2017 at 6:14 PM, Bluespunk said:

I’m male, straight and a number of other catagories, that apparently are being discriminated against. 

 

And, guess what?

 

I'm not. 

You are...but you just cannot see it.

[metisdead]

Off topic trolling posts have been removed. 

[tryasimight]

4 hours ago, seajae said:

biggest problem is when people try to put modern day standards on what happened in a time with different standards, it cant be done, we cant judge people of 50 years ago on todays standards as back then they were not as accepted as they are today. Everything takes time, what we accept today is a lot different, one thing that has not changed a great deal is religion, everyone is aware of what the churches stand for, if they disagree then they should just walk away and go where they are happy. Trying to force churches to change to suit them is  not the way to do it, it becomes really stupid trying to incriminate a church for following their religious beliefs just to prove a point. People are entitled to their own beliefs churches should not force their beliefs on anyone else and other groups should not try to force their beliefs on others as well, deliberately trying to do so helps no one, they need to accept there will be some that disagree with them and move on otherwise they are no better by forcing the issue, there are many other schools to go to. I accept people for who they are, I had a gay daughter and was very proud of her, I also have gay friends, I have no problems with the gay community  and I dont go out trying to cause them problems because they have different opinions/lifestyles, maybe those trying to push this sort of thing are the real ones with the problems and simply cant accept anyone that disagrees with them, people need to grow up and accept that others are entitled to their own beliefs.

 

Therein lies the problem. The 'minorities' scream for acceptance but cannot accept that other people have differing views. So they scream even louder, stamp their feet, shred their nighties and start demanding things, make other people feel guilty ( a huge industry has grown from this) and we end up where we are in the west - a fractured society ripe for exploitation by politicians and others. Everyone is so concerned about their own focus issues they forget the bigger picture until it is too late. Third reich all over again.

[Bluespunk]

5 hours ago, tryasimight said:

You are...but you just cannot see it.

Nope. 

 

You are wrong. 

[tryasimight]

6 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Nope. 

 

You are wrong. 

Only in your opinion. Others may differ. 

[Bluespunk]

17 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Only in your opinion. Others may differ. 

No. 

 

I know I am not being discriminated against.

 

[Orton Rd]

Far more important issues to tackle with the education system than this gender nonsense 

[tryasimight]

17 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

No. 

 

I know I am not being discriminated against.

 

Keep that happy thought. 

[Bluespunk]

3 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Keep that happy thought. 

Fact.

 

Not thought.

 

Fact.