School Rainbow Campaign supports diversity

BANGKOK, 16 May 2014 (NNT) - Towards the goal of making all schools safe havens for learning, NGOs have highlighted the critical need to raise awareness of an often ignored or overlooked issue.

UNESCO Bangkok, UNAIDS Asia and the Pacific, and the regional youth networks, Youth LEAD and Youth Voices Count, are uniting as partners for the first-ever “School Rainbow” initiative.

The inspirational Rainbow campaign has had people all over the world drawing chalk rainbows on the ground to show support to end stigma, discrimination and violence against people from LGBTI communities. The multi- colored chalk rainbows echo the diversity of humanity. The rainbows are being drawn in front of schools throughout Bangkok by students, teachers and school staff, as well as members of the LGBTI community, to show support to end discrimination and the harm that sometimes accompanies it.

The School Rainbow activities were all planned and carried out by students, teachers, school staff and community partners throughout the week.

Discussions on the issue of bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity have also been conducted with students and young people. All chalk rainbows are linked to a URL website (www.schoolrainbow.org), which will include more information on the topic of discrimination, along with lesson plans for Thailand, developed by UNESCO, with input from other resources.

Held every year on May 17, the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia has, since 2004, brought the violence and discrimination experienced by the LGBT community into the international spotlight.


-- NNT 2014-05-16

I remember when the rainbow belonged to all and was not a gay symbol. It has been hijacked and stripped away from all mankind.

I remember when the word gay belonged to all and meant someone who was friendly, happy and outgoing. It has been hijacked by homosexual evangelists and stripped away from all mankind.

What? Only two negative comments by 16:20? What happened?

I think many westerners imagine Thailand to be some kind of paradise for Thai sexual minorities. Yet, it is not. While clearly not in the same scary massively homophobic league as Nigeria, Russia, Jamaica, etc. there are still deeply ingrained social attitudes that are harmful to Thai sexual minorities. Youth of course are a very vulnerable group. Yes, there is bullying here directed towards these minority youth and it is a very positive step that the problem is acknowledged by authorities and solutions are attempted. Bravo on this one!

Most Thai Universities are about 60% GBLT. Diversity is fine, but I think they are pretty open already....

Off-topic posts and replies deleted. The topic is about schools and Thailand. Stay on topic.