A new generation demanded to be heard at Youth Pride 2023.
On the first Saturday of this month, a group of children and youths gathered at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre to join Youth Pride -- an open and safe space where they connected and exchanged ideas about LGBTI rights.
The event has been held for two consecutive years in conjunction with Bangkok Pride and was co-organised by Tomorrow's Leader, Young Pride, Isaan Gender Diversity Network, Save the Children Thailand and a network of LGBTI youth among others.
The day began with the young attendees divided into groups to discuss issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics that directly impact them. In the afternoon, they took key messages from their discussion to make posters to be used at Bangkok Pride the following day.
One of the participants, 17-year-old Tonkoon, has been calling for freedom in hairstyle choice at their school in Chiang Mai. A survey was conducted with students, teachers and parents to reach an agreement. However, they were unable to convince the school director, who refused change.
Nachale Boonyapisomparn, an activist and representative of the Youth Pride organising team, said that issues which affect young people do not always get discussed and communicated widely in the movement for LGBTI rights.
"So, for this event, I hope we get to learn about issues that really belong to young people -- something that goes beyond the general issues everyone thinks of when it comes to LGBTI people, like marriage equality or gender-neutral restrooms."
Based on the children and youth's group discussion, it was revealed that some of the problems they are facing include outdated sex education in schools, bullying, lack of access to free sanitary pads, limited safe space to express themselves, unsupportive parents and teachers, and more.
However, 19-year-old Thanyaboon Thipparak, another Youth Pride participant, had a different approach. Instead of creating posters, her chosen art form was molam music -- the traditional sound of Isan.
When asked why she thinks many young people have engaged in activism in recent years, Thanyaboon replied that they want change in the country.
"Every child knows what's going on in the country," she said. "Having young people raise their voices is a good thing so that the government understands what should and shouldn't be done. Right now, they're not listening at all. They use bullets and tear gas against children and youths. Violence is not the solution. Listening is."
