ข้อมูลสำหรับสื่อมวลชนภาษาไทย คลิกที่นี่
For the Thai version of the media advisory, click here
BANGKOK, 6 MAY, 2015 –
What
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), UNESCO Bangkok and many partners will light up the façade of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre with a massive rainbow-coloured display to commemorate this year’s International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). 2105 is also the International Year of Light and organizers likewise aim to illuminate the challenges faced by Thailand’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community with a week-long programme of activities. Musical performances, theatrical performances, film screenings, a book launch, frank discussions on LGBTI life and specific challenges the community faces in Thailand (with youth a key focus), as well as a special ceremony at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) on IDAHOT itself, are among the highlights of what promises to be an exciting – and enlightening – week of events.
When
IDAHOT activities will run daily from 12-19 May in the lead-up to and following IDAHOT (17 May). A full programme with details on each event is available here.
Brief descriptions below.
Tuesday 12 May
10am-12pm: Book launch of “Dear Mom: LGBTI’s Heartfelt Letters to Their Parents”
2-5pm: “Becoming Me(n)” – workshop for transmen to share experiences
6-9pm: “Understanding Bisexuality in Thai Context” – panel discussion
Wednesday 13 May
10am-5pm: "Know the Facts: Q&A game on LGBTI exclusion in Thailand"
10am-12pm: “Are You PrEPared Enough?” – panel session on the effective use of social media in linking YGMT to HIV and other health-related services including PrEP
2-4pm: “Who’s to Blame?” panel discussion on violence among LGBTI people
5-6pm: “Queer Eye For All” – theatrical performance by the Sun Dance Theatre
6-7pm: "Flawlessly Unique" drag performance by Pangina Heals followed by discussion with Bella Vongvisitsin and Sarina Thai
7-9pm: “Not So Straight Talk” – variety talk show
Thursday 14 May
10am-6pm: "Know the Facts: Q&A game on LGBTI exclusion in Thailand"
10am-12pm: “Hurt by the Tabloids” – panel discussion on media’s role in negative stereotyping
2-4:30pm: “Breaking the Continuum of Discrimination and Violence in Education and Employment”
6-8.30pm: Live concert by Attention Please featuring Tang Mo from The Voice and others
Friday 15 May
10am-5pm: "Know the Facts: Q&A game on LGBTI exclusion in Thailand"
5-6pm: “Working Beyond Difference: Student filmmakers for social justice” – film screening and Q&A
6-9pm: “Loud & Proud Thailand” – film screening and Q&A with Directors/Actors
Saturday 16 May
10am-5pm: “Tree of Hope and Dreams” – an interactive exhibition by Youth LEAD p.i
5pm-6pm: Outdoor jazz concert with Natt from The Voice
Sunday 17 May
1-5pm: Young Rainbow Workshop featuring T-shirt making, lighting activity and art therapy
5-5.30pm: Piano performance by Remi Namtep
5.30-6pm: Community performances by Bangkok Rainbow Organization, Sex Workers in Groups and Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand and a highlight show by Rainbow All Boy Cheerleading Team
6-9pm: Official IDAHOT commemoration opened by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, with cultural performances by Bangkok Cheerleaders, Balla & Juno from The Voice, Mimosa Pattaya and speeches by special guests. Master of Ceremony, Meesuk Jangmeesuk
Tuesday 19 May
10am-6pm: Respect for All: Promoting Safe and Gender-responsive Schools in Thailand (closed workshop until 3pm, then open to the public)
All events are open to the public and conducted in Thai, unless otherwise stated.
Where
The events for IDAHOT week will take place in and around the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Pathumwan Intersection, facing the MBK and Siam Discovery Centres (National Stadium BTS). Map
Who
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) as well as more than 20 UN agencies, development and Thai civil society organisations and commercial partners are participating in IDAHOT week at the BACC.
Media kit
A media kit with a fact sheet as well as a list of interviewees available for interviews in English and Thai on a wide variety of LGBTI-related topics are available at the official site: idahotthailand.org
Suggested tweets
- See the programme of events to mark #IDAHOT2015 in Thailand http://ow.ly/M7ct5 #WeAreRainbow #IDAHOTthai #LGBTI Pls RT
- Join us at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre on Sunday 17/5 to commemorate #IDAHOT http://ow.ly/M7ct5#WeAreRainbow #IDAHOTthai #LGBTI
- Is Thailand the LGBTI paradise it is often touted to be? The reality faced by #LGBTI Thais http://ow.ly/M7cFN #WeAreRainbow #IDAHOTthai
- Did u know? Nearly 6/10 #LGBTI youth in Thailand are bullied because of their sexual orientation/gender identity. #WeAreRainbow #IDAHOTthai #LGBTI
- Show your support for #LGBTI rights by posting a photo of #WeAreRainbow written on any part of your body http://ow.ly/M7cx0 #IDAHOTthai
Media enquiries
For English-language media inquiries, please contact UNESCO Bangkok Media and Communications Officer Noel Boivin: n.boivin@unesco.org
For Thai-language queries, please contact: UNESCO Bangkok HIV National Programme Officer Prempreeda Pramoj Na Ayutthaya: p.pramoj@unesco.org
Background
IDAHOT: The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is commemorated every year on 17 May in more than 100 countries in every region of the world to champion LGBTI rights and combat discrimination. The day was created in 2004 and the 17th of May was chosen because it was on this day in 1990 that the World Health Organization first decided to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. LGBTI youth are the focus of this year’s IDAHOT.
We Are Rainbow
The theme of this year’s IDAHOT Thailand campaign speaks to its aim of taking the discussion out of advocacy circles and into the community to show how LGBTI rights are human rights and that their violation harms everyone. The BACC events as well as the social media campaign launched under #WeAreRainbow focus on educating and engaging members of the public on LGBTI issues and inspiring them to champion these rights, not just on IDAHOT, but every day.
Members of the public can get involved in #WeAreRainbow by sharing photos of this slogan written on their bodies in social media or by sharing the messages we have prepared, available here.
More info
For more visit: idahotthailand.org
Twitter: @idahotthai
Facebook: IdahotThailand
Instagram: IdahotThailand