Too late for the party, LGBT advocates vow political push

[Lite Beer]

Too late for the party, LGBT advocates vow political push

BANGKOK: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates are preparing to found a political party to strengthen their calls for equal sexual rights _ but it won't be in time for the election.

The timing does not imply the LGBT's support of a poll date delay, as demanded by anti-government protesters, the organisers said.

Its co-founders argue the idea of having their own voice in parliament is still taking shape and they need to go through the registration procedures.

"We cannot do it in time for Feb 2," party co-founder Chumaporn Taengkliang told a meeting of members of the LGBT community Saturday.

The party will be named the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Rights Party, or the SOGIE Rights Party (SRP).

Politically, its advocates say the party can draw members from both the pro- and anti-Thaksin camps.

It could help take Thailand beyond the coloured conflict between yellow-shirt and red-shirt supporters, Pongthorn Chanlearn, director of the anti-HIV and Aids advocacy group M Plus, said.

Socially, the party expects to push laws to ensure equal treatment for people of all sexes, especially the LGBT whose status is still not widely accepted in society, said party co-founder Patcharee Sae-eaw.

Among LGBT issues is a call for gay couples to have the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples.

Rights advocates have campaigned for a law to grant legal status to gay couples, though a recent government-sponsored survey found about 60% Thais dislike gay marriage.

That is why the SRP is needed, to "awaken other politicians to the importance of issues regarding sexual diversity", Mr Pongthorn said.

The party aims to deal mainly with LGBT issues, but that does not mean it will ignore other problems.

"We have to look at other issues for general people, too. We have to tackle these issues together," said Warakorn Bhibhathana, an LGBT advocate from the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand.


-- Phuket News 2013-12-29

[MJP]

Emphasis on the letter 'L' in ewections.

Sorry, a cheap shot.

[Costas2008]

Chumaporn, darling.....there will be no elections on the 2nd of February.

Sooooooo......you have all the time ......to register for the next time.

By the way......I am a lesbian........I like women!

Edited December 29, 2013 by Costas2008

[siampolee]

One wonders whether Oak might like their backing for his fathers party ?

[Yunla]

Good, they will represent LGBT.

Good, they will increase the public sphere discussion on HIV/AIDS.

Good, when they protest in the streets, they will all be disco-dancing. Good, good, good. More please.

[kurtgruen]

[Jingthing]

Interesting. Not sure it's that bright an idea for there to be a dedicated sexual minorities party. My first reaction is that's a bad idea but given the polarization in Thailand I guess it's understandable. There will be sexual minority Thais probably fairly divided red-yellow. Are there other country's with parliamentary systems where sexual minority issues have been advanced with a DEDICATED sexual minority party? I never heard of this tactic before is why I'm asking. Why would the vast majority, non-sexual minority people, vote for such a labelled party? Now of course openly gay candidates in other parties can potentially gain support if they make it clear they have a full platform of issues they are representing but I just don't see many non-sexual minority people supporting such a labelled party.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Jingthing

[Local Drunk]

Sexual preference is not something that should be politicized. You either are or you aren't and it should carry no weight with governments whatsoever.

[Jingthing]

Sexual preference is not something that should be politicized. You either are or you aren't and it should carry no weight with governments whatsoever.

This I can't agree on. It MUST be politicized because in Thailand and almost all countries in the world sexual minority people do not enjoy equal civil rights. Getting those rights doesn't happen by magic, dude. They must be PUSHED for. Still this concept of a totally separate political PARTY seems strange to me. I think they should think about this idea a bit more before proceeding. I reckon there are better ways.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Jingthing

[LuckyLew]

The first point on the election platform

1- Votes to be cast in the closet not in the booth

Why is it this group of society so often feel a need to publicize their orientation?

Why do they need a "pride" day? I feel no need for a "hetro" day

You are what you are .... no need to scream it from the hill tops

I am sure someone will come and roast me now .... get a grip and a sense of humor

[QuiteIntelligent]

Sexual preference is not something that should be politicized. You either are or you aren't and it should carry no weight with governments whatsoever.

This I can't agree on. It MUST be politicized because in Thailand and almost all countries in the world sexual minority people do not enjoy equal civil rights. Getting those rights doesn't happen by magic, dude. They must be PUSHED for. Still this concept of a totally separate political PARTY seems strange to me. I think they should think about this idea a bit more before proceeding. I reckon there are better ways.

No. It should be kept out of politics and the agenda pushed as a 'public group' not a political one. Politics should be reserved for the governance of the country, not a minority.

The world is already laughing at Thai politics, this does not help.

[mrtoad]

Chumaporn, darling.....there will be no elections on the 2nd of February.

Sooooooo......you have all the time ......to register for the next time.

By the way......I am a lesbian........I like women!

You're certainly not a comedian with a droll quip like that.

[chainarong]

I think it is too late for any kind of party whether at the BBQ or the political kind , the road to ruin lies just ahead , the party with the less set of morals, unashamed corruption, blatant dis-regard for the court process, circumventing procedures and handling the truth carelessly, will probably get most of the attention, the other also runs ,will brown nose their way with the majority party, business as usual, lets party..

[Jingthing]

The first point on the election platform

1- Votes to be cast in the closet not in the booth

Why is it this group of society so often feel a need to publicize their orientation?

Why do they need a "pride" day? I feel no need for a "hetro" day

You are what you are .... no need to scream it from the hill tops

I am sure someone will come and roast me now .... get a grip and a sense of humor

Dude, when you're a male heterosexual you already have a built in PRIVILEGE.

Why was there a black power movement?

Why was there a feminist movement?

No, I'm not asking really (I know), just trying to supply you with a CLUE.

[FangFerang]

The first point on the election platform

1- Votes to be cast in the closet not in the booth

Why is it this group of society so often feel a need to publicize their orientation?

Why do they need a "pride" day? I feel no need for a "hetro" day

You are what you are .... no need to scream it from the hill tops

I am sure someone will come and roast me now .... get a grip and a sense of humor

I have come to roast you for being logical and forthright. How dare you be honest on TV?

The sexual orientation of other people, and I am also hetero, does not matter to me at all, and it is none of my business, and is not an issue at all to me. I support anyone who has some love in their life, because that is a very difficult thing to find. I also wonder why it has to be publicized--I don't get that at all and it seems like a waste of time.

I am slow-roasting you, with marshmallows, but affectionately. I don't have the grip, but I do have a sense of humor. I bought it in Hua Hin at a discount.

[Yunla]

The reason the LGBT want a political platform is to reform laws, one of the most important being the recognition of "hate crimes."

People have been killed in homophobic and transphopic attacks for ever. Now that we as a species have a legal system, LGBT (in Thailand) want that system to legally appreciate that LGBT people are targeted and attacked for being who they are, and to prosecute the attackers.

Disabled/handicapped people are also discriminated against and attacked in far too many cases. But there isn't even have a word for "disabledophobia" or "handicappedist" etc. much less any kind of legal response to being physically taunted or attacked because we are disabled.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Yunla

[catmac]

Can't say that I'm in favour of these "single issue" political parties. I think history shows that they have very little appeal even to whatever group they stem from. As JT said, the way to equality lies with influencing the mainstream parties to embrace their views.

In the present situation in Thailand, I can understand those who would rather walk round with a sign saying "I'm gay, so a plague on both your parties", but I don't think it would advance gay rights much.

[Jingthing]

Yeah I agree with their goals but strongly question their tactics. But I'm just a white skinned foreigner, how could I ever understand Thai politics?

[Bluespunk]

"The party will be named the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Rights Party, or the SOGIE Rights Party (SRP)"

The sogie (soggy) party!! Fair enough having the party/rights activist group, but you may want to work on that acronym. I know what happens if you spot a flaw in your name/public I.d. too late. Causes all sorts of confusion.

[Scamper]

Sounds like a breath of fresh air. And by all means, pool as many potential supporters from existing parties as you can. Having said that - if you want to include the pro-government party - you may wish at least at first to steer clear of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group. They may not be quite so open-minded !

[Jingthing]

I like the idea of a strong coalition national unity and SANITY party that rejects both the reds and the yellows in no uncertain terms. But this one ain't it.

[Mampara]

Interesting. Not sure it's that bright an idea for there to be a dedicated sexual minorities party. My first reaction is that's a bad idea but given the polarization in Thailand I guess it's understandable. There will be sexual minority Thais probably fairly divided red-yellow. Are there other country's with parliamentary systems where sexual minority issues have been advanced with a DEDICATED sexual minority party? I never heard of this tactic before is why I'm asking. Why would the vast majority, non-sexual minority people, vote for such a labelled party? Now of course openly gay candidates in other parties can potentially gain support if they make it clear they have a full platform of issues they are representing but I just don't see many non-sexual minority people supporting such a labelled party.

Oh Sh*t

[LuckyLew]

Sexual preference is not something that should be politicized. You either are or you aren't and it should carry no weight with governments whatsoever.

This I can't agree on. It MUST be politicized because in Thailand and almost all countries in the world sexual minority people do not enjoy equal civil rights. Getting those rights doesn't happen by magic, dude. They must be PUSHED for. Still this concept of a totally separate political PARTY seems strange to me. I think they should think about this idea a bit more before proceeding. I reckon there are better ways.

I think they feel they need there own party because they feel they are not being heard and listened to by all current active political parties in Thailand. While the BLT lifestyles are accepted in Thailand I would guess if a group of them all joined an existing political party there views wants and needs would not be addressed in a manner that would suit them

[mca]

I am sure someone will come and roast me now ....

Rather a poor turn of phrase given the topic Lew mate

[bunny11kk]

Chumaporn, darling.....there will be no elections on the 2nd of February.

Sooooooo......you have all the time ......to register for the next time.

By the way......I am a lesbian........I like women!

Well say, well say!!!!!!!

[Prbkk]

Most of the GLBT vote would go with Yingluck not Suthep. Policies aside, it's like choosing between Liz Taylor or Peter Lorre.

[DP25]

One wonders whether Oak might like their backing for his fathers party ?

He might, his father wouldn't. Some of his father's thugs violently broke up a gay pride parade in Chiang Mai a few years ago.

[Jingthing]

Yeah, reds and yellows are BOTH rather anti-gay. I still think the support would be split.

[bigbamboo]

Yeah, reds and yellows are BOTH rather anti-gay. I still think the support would be split.

Does that mean we now have pink shirts too?

[Jingthing]

Yeah, reds and yellows are BOTH rather anti-gay. I still think the support would be split.

Does that mean we now have pink shirts too?

Pink doesn't mean that to Thais, dear.