Hope you all have greeted Monday with lots of positive energy
ka!
I've been reading about and discussing LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning) for quite a while with
several papers I co-authored with my Fulbright colleagues touching a little on
this issue. Have seen more movements from there ka.
Most recently, I learned even more from the heart of an
American gay who I know. He shared his pain, doubts and other mixed
feelings, going through his personal whispers what he has thought he is
before coming out to feel empowered as a proud gay.
In
our Thai society, we are used to seeing many ladyboys or transvestites,
as well as many more tomboys. What have we known about them, their
real selves, and their outlook in life? We tend to take them lightly for
their talents and fun-lovingness while some talk about them in negative ways.
In
the case of my American friend, the situation could be quite similar to that of
ours ka. He saw his friend suffering from telling the truth to his family
who was aggressively unsupportive. He then was trying to act like he isn’t
one during his college years and it made him feel miserable. After years of
hiding, he finally realized he needed to be himself, to be what he is, and
to feel good of himself! I sure am very proud of him too!
I’ve
been thinking of us here in Thailand. It seems that Thailand has been known
for our open-mindedness as we seem to ‘show off’ that we have quite a
number of happy ladyboys or transvestites.
I’m not so sure we’re that open ka:
·
Are we open only when they aren’t members of our families!?!
·
Do we know how to address them properly? I feel awkward and sort of impolite when
calling my friends ‘ตุ๊ด’ and if I’m close enough to the person(s), I’ll ask what he
prefers to be called (several said it is ok to call them so because they too
use it for themselves ka!)
Lately,
I read an article about a journalist who had an appointment to interview one gay.
The first lesson from his office was ‘Do’s and Don’ts’. I wish we could
also have something like that as a framework for us as well so we maximize
our understanding of them as equal human beings on ‘respect’ and benefit from
another form of ‘diversity’ in our society and the world ka.
In
fact, there’re lots of implications from the changes. The traditional
‘gender issues’ have gone beyond what we’ve known (like their ‘rights’
about ‘gender choice after birth’, ‘medical treatment’, ‘preference of being
addressed’, or even use of restrooms, etc. which should strike some sort of
balance with the rest of the people.) We do need to get more serious and
realistic…yet, be very careful not to overact in some aspects like going along
with kids at too-earlier ages since they need time to know themselves and
again, naturally, there could be some errors in between.
Such
a complicated and challenging world
we are in ka!
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น