Glad To Be Gay

Glad To Be Gay

By James Barnes

Remember those heady days of the 1970’s? It wasn’t just the freaky hairstyles and platform shoes or glam rock and disco that made them so memorable. Liberal laws were being passed hither and thither. TV soaps and sitcoms started to introduce sympathetic gay characters. Tom Robinson had a surprise, number one, UK hit single with ‘Glad to be Gay’. After eons under the dark clouds of criminalisation and prejudice, gay people were looking forward to the bright, sunlit uplands of freedom and equality.

Then came a devastating disease called, ‘Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome’, which was followed by a vicious rightwing backlash. All the wonderful progress that had been made went into reverse gear and the struggle for gay rights and gay acceptance had to begin anew. Only this time, it was against a backdrop where many of the most talented and gifted gays, able to carry the rainbow banner, were, quite literally, dropping like flies.

The curse of AIDS has tainted Asia like no other continent and Thailand is no exception. Accurate figures are almost impossible to come by but it is accepted that new infection rates continue to rise, especially in young people, whether they are homosexual or not. The safer sex message is still not penetrating sexual behaviour.

Gay Pride is now an international movement and the gay community has much of which to be proud. In this city, Pattaya Pride is amongst the biggest supporters of AIDS related charities, amongst which, Help Ensure Aids Rescue Together in Thailand (Heartt 2000) stands tall. Frenchman, Dr Philippe Seur (email [email protected]), founded Heartt more than a decade ago (www.heartt2000.org) and has been a tireless benefactor to thousands of HIV/AIDS sufferers ever since, battling stigma and ignorance as well as the disease on behalf of his patients, gay or not.

Just a few weeks ago, the Bordeaux Restaurant in Soi Day Night- a block behind Tukcom, hosted a glittering charity dinner that raised a mouth watering 142,000 baht for Heartt 2000. Bruno’s restaurant contributed to the fine gourmet catering. The Venue supplied the Master of Ceremonies, Ray Dimond and a fabulous cabaret drawn from the famous Jomtien showbar, who entertained in their own inimitable high style. Gay and gay friendly businesses, as well as private citizens, donated prizes for a lucky draw. Thank you, Pattaya. The unfettered fun and generous giving was a marvel. It warmed the cockles. It made life with HIV and AIDS more bearable for thousands. It was just one more reason to sing, ‘glad to be gay.’

James Barnes is editor of Thai Spice magazine.

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-- Pattaya One 2010-10-23