Out&About

Published on November 16, 2007

Is Gay Pride such a western concept that it won't work in Thailand? I doubt it. After all, we Thais have no problems making foreign ideas our own. But just as our Buddhism is tainted with local superstitions, our democracy infected by corruption and cronyism, we also have gay pride with a unique flavour of commercialism.

As I mentioned last time, the outgoing Pride committee reportedly wanted gay groups to take over next year's event. After this year's terminal "Pride", it seems that Silom gay businesses are finally ready for a past-expiration retirement to the backstage, if someone else will fill the high heels.

There has always been a degree of uneasiness between gay businesses and activist groups. The latter see Pride as - if not an outright endorsement for sex tourism - an advertising tool for businesses to increase tourist traffic without making any difference in how homosexuality is perceived by the general public. For their part, businesses fear that loud activism will incur backlashes against their enterprises.

But nobody can accuse Silom folks of hypocrisy. If nobody will step up to the plate, they will continue their commercial brand of Pride - with or without outside blessings. Their bottom line is always clear. Show me the money. On the other hand, it's the nascent network of gay groups that need some soul-searching.

Although the gay rights picture may appear to be improving, from next year on gay groups cannot count on having sympathetic ears in government bodies or the parliament. Even the law for title changes currently being considered by the National Legislative Assembly is suffering from lack of consensus among gay groups.

Pride would be an event to synch their activity calendars around - a week to sit down together and discuss synergic strategy for the following year. In addition, it is the most effective time to attract gay brothers and sisters in the wider population and bring those silent voices into the foray. So far, when it's necessary - to collect signatures to support an equality law, for example - there is yet no effective mailing list of individuals and gay-friendly businesses to mobilise.

Last but not least of reasons, finance isn't bottom line only for businesses. Gay groups also need money to run their campaigns for equal rights and Aids awareness when funding is increasingly harder to find.

Silom businesses may have previously donated Pride's proceedings to their causes, but it's about time that gay groups get used to the idea of local fundraising in a more independent and organised way. Apart from the willing sponsors on Silom, there are corporations - Zen is an obvious example - that would like to tap into the pink market if the event can be moderated to fit their corporate images.

An event of this scale involves much planning and countless man-hours. All the more reason that it should be done professionally like similar events elsewhere. They certainly can learn much from the success of Fridae.com's Nation Party in the past. One idea that should be considered is outsourcing some entertainment parts to professional event organisers, now that there are a few gay-oriented ones around like GYENT and gCircuit.

Another worthy consideration is whether Pride week should be moved to coincide with World Aids Day on December 1 every year. Helping to bring astray public attention back to the issue will give Pride a meaningful existence, not just a frivolous exercise in commercial gay abandon.

According to Khun Danny, president of Rainbow Sky - the largest by number as well as the only officially recognised gay group - the organisation is likely to vote in favour of taking over of Pride, on the condition that the handover is public and in writing to prevent future complications. Whatever form they will shape next year's Pride into, it is an interesting and most welcome development. I bid them good luck.

Share gay issues via e-mail with ayor@nationgroup.com.

AYOR