This Thursday, rainbow flags will be flying for Chiang Mai Pride 2019 in the northern capital.
Starting around 5pm, the parade is set to assemble at Budhastan, also known as Chiang Mai Religion Practice Centre, before heading through the night bazaar and finishing at the landmark Thapae Gate. At the space outside the gate, the event will feature performances, a candlelight vigil and a contest to find Chiang Mai Pride Ambassador 2019. The night will conclude around 10pm.
Thursday marks the "End Of Violence Against LGBT Day". Ten years ago, on Feb 21, a pride parade was set to take place in Chiang Mai. However, on the day of the event, participants -- which included members of the LGBT community, youths, activists, people living with HIV and many others -- were surrounded, threatened and harassed by some hateful locals. And the authorities turned a blind eye. Eventually, the event was shut down and Chiang Mai has rarely seen any pride festivities since then.
At Pride 2019, a speech reflecting on the past decade of fight for equality will be made, and will be followed by a candlelight vigil as a remembrance for that historic, atrocious day.
The Chiang Mai Pride Ambassador contest will see participants of all ages, sexualities and nationalities donning their most fabulous outfits for both the parade and the stage. Following a runway walk and a Q&A round, winners will be announced. The top three contestants will win a cash prize, a crown, sash and trophy.
If anybody is still in Chiang Mai the next day, there are other LGBT-related events they may wish to check out. On Friday morning, there will be a talk on transgender women and their rights to pregnancy. The event will be held in Room 01003, 1st floor, Patibatkarn Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University. Registration closes tomorrow at noon. Call 053-942920 to reserve your seat.
On the same evening, a community talk on diversity in the workplace will be held at Regus, Chiang Mai Icon Park, on Maneenopparat Road. Networking will take place after the talk. This event is hosted by Chiang Mai Connect, by the Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce. Only 45 seats are available. Book yours at eventbank.com/event/11988.
Visit facebook.com/cnxpride.
