Thailand LGBTQ Community celebrates with pride on Twitter

Twitter is where voices from around the world and across the spectrum can be seen and heard. It's where people can see what's happening from every point of view, from all perspectives and every side. It’s a vibrant forum for debate and the people are what make Twitter so colourful.

 

The LGBTQ conversation in Thailand bridges communities and defies stereotypes, it engages people from all walks of life and is a conversation as uplifting as it is vibrant and sassy. From same-sex marriage to supporting diversity and inclusivity; from learning about the issues and challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Thailand, to celebrating the highs and supporting during the lows.

 

Being open and inclusive, Twitter serves the public conversation without bias and in celebration of Pride Month, we take a look at some of the ways people are using Twitter to create a better and more inclusive world.

 

Demystifying LGBTQ

 

Twitter can be a great leveller. A place where all voices are heard and matter. It’s also a place to learn and educate yourself, and on Twitter this is often in the form of discussion and debate. In Thailand, LGBTQ  conversations on Twitter can be educational and uplifting: from discussing the meaning of the acronym LGBTQ to equality, diversity, same-sex marriage and more. On Twitter, people from different backgrounds openly discuss and lead the community to engage in meaningful conversations, seen below in this Tweet Thread from — fluffcone(@fluffcone) which spurred a discussion amongst Thai Tweeps about the meaning of LGBTQ+.

 

Thai Twitter community shines a light on LGBTQ

 

There are many voices on Twitter who use their presence to progress a cause or spotlight a conversation such as LGBTQ, and currently lots are changing their Twitter profile photos to associate with Pride Month. Having already married his love, content creator and media entrepreneur, Vuthithorn "Woody" Milintachinda (@Woodytalk), is a big supporter of same-sex marriage and on Twitter spotlights this to his followers with his Pinned Tweet acknowledging #lovewins.

Transgender Activist and Lecturer at Thammasat University, Kath Khangpiboon (@kathnong), recently Tweeted her congratulations for gender recognition at the university, which now allows students to dress and express themselves. Meanwhile the Governor of Chanthaburi recently recognised LGBTQ rights and announced equality in the workplace for all provincial government employees. While receiving little awareness outside of the province initially, Thailand's first transgender MP, LGBTQ advocate and award-winning filmaker, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit (@TanwarinS_MFP), didn't let it go unnoticed. They shared the original government announcement with their thousands of followers.

 

Fostering acceptance and understanding

 

In Thailand, the LGBTQ conversation is not limited to Pride Month and on Twitter, it’s happening every day all year round. While mainstream media regularly cover relevant issues and topics, Thailand’s entertainment industry also popularises LGBTQ characters. Recent Thai TV series #2GetherTheSeries, in which the two lead characters were males who fell in love, was a runaway success attracting a Thai and international following. Many Tweeted real time about the episodes, characters and storylines, with 4.8 million Tweets sent worldwide about the final episode.

 

Celebrating diversity

 

Many Thai brands are showing solidarity with the LGBTQ community during Pride Month, opting to change their corporate identity to a rainbow-themed logo instead. In the case of SC Asset (@SC_Asset), they welcome all kinds of love with their #SCForAll campaign, while companies such as Sansiri (@SansiriPLC) have made equality part of their DNA. Tweeting #EveryoneIsFamily, Sansiri recently showcased their commitment to greater LGBTQ rights by being the first Thai company to sign up to the UN Global LGBTI Standards of Conduct for Business.

 

Using Twitter safely

 

Being a conversational platform, Twitter allows all voices to be heard. As long as people follow the Twitter Rules, Twitter embraces healthy conversation. There are times, however, when you may not want to see a Tweet on a certain topic, or from a certain person; or you may not want someone to view or be able to reply to your own Tweet. Twitter has an array of features that give you full control of your Twitter experience. Find out more at this Twitter Blog post.