June 20, 2024 – Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, and the allies including the Student Council, the Student Organization, the Student Unions of different faculties, Art and Cultural Center, KKU, Division of Student Development, Center for Gender Studies and other supporting networks, held the Isaan Pride 2024 Project under the theme “Proud to be Pride”. The objectives were to build awareness of multiple gender rights and sex equality; to open the zone for expression and exchange of ideas of LGBTQ+, especially KKU students; and to build the cooperating network of both internal and external departments and organizations whose work deal with or who place importance of LGBTQ+. The activities in the event were various, and the event was officially opened by Asst. Prof. Khurusat Khonhan, Ph.D., Acting Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relation, while Assoc. Prof. Orathai Pia-ura, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, gave the reporting speech. Over 3,000 students, staff members and the public attended the event, which was held at the former Degree Conferral Pavilion, Khon Kaen University.
“Center for Gender Studies”
“Center for Gender Studies” was established to be the center for studying research and provide instruction on gender studies and to disseminate the knowledge to the society. The target group included women, children and LGBTQ+. It promotes the equality in genders and emphasizes publication of academic works. The Center also joins with the network to organize Isaan Pride event, which has been held for the 3rd time this year, after the very successful event on the first time.
Assoc. Prof. Orathai Pia-ura, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, revealed that June is the Pride Month of every year, where people celebrate the respect of humanity and multiple rights of people, including sex multiplicity; nationality and color multiplicity; multiplicity of cultures, languages, beliefs and opinions. Therefore, the Center of Gender Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, has organized this event: Isaan Pride 2024 Project with the network. The project has the aims to build awareness of the rights of LGBTQ+ and sex equality, to open the area for expression and exchange of ideas of LGBTQ+, especially the students of Khon Kaen University. The other objective is to build the cooperating network of both the internal and external organizations of Khon Kaen University.
“The Center and the network place the importance and are working on the issues related to LGBTQ+ under the theme “Proud to be Pride”. The organizers wanted to create a zone of pride for all sexes, build awareness of the rights of LGBTQ+ in the society, and accept all groups of people in the society, including all sexes, ages, cultures, and traditions. Everyone has equal pride and Khon Kaen University is the safe zone for all.”
KKU, a safe zone for LGBTQ+ “Coming Out”
The term “Coming Out” in English comes from “Coming out of the closet” and is used to convey the meaning of revelation of gender identity to others. Khon Kaen University opens a chance for Mo Din Daeng folks, both staff and students to express themselves and their own freedom, such as in dressing according to the sex identity since 2022. This corresponds to the sustainable development goal (SDG5), which mentions ending of all forms of discrimination arising for sex issues and fostering sex equality, which can be done through the structure and implementation of the Center for Gender Studies of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Khon Kaen University, with cooperation from different sectors.
Asst. Prof. Khurusat Khonhan, Ph.D., Acting Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relation, added that the “Proud to be Pride” festival has its start from the chaos and fighting for rights of the men-love-men and women-love-women groups in New York in June, 1969. The event arose from the social pressure and unacceptance. The event caused political movements for human rights of LGBTQ+ that spread all over the world. The Isan Pride 2004 today is part of the building of awareness of the rights of LGBTQ+ and impartiality of sex. The activities built the safe and friendly zone on KKU campus for LGBTQ+, who can be students, lecturers, or the public. Khon Kaen University is the leader in campaigning for stoppage of injustice from sex issues and building policy that leads to sex equality and impartiality, as well as protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ in the broader area. On this occasion, the Vice President congratulated everyone on the passing of Marriage Equality Act by the senators on June 18, 2024. This means that the attempt in stimulating the society to see the importance of people equality has become successful.
Assoc. Prof. Chatkhaneh Phraehao, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Administration and Strategy of the Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, said, “Research studies have shown that the society 30 years ago experienced obstacles gender condition at the household level, educational institution level, the work place level and the country level. Those with different gender condition from what they were born in were usually called “E (E Krathoey)”. The unacceptance by friends and relatives make their families put more pressure on them. At school, they were mocked by friends because teachers have not been trained to accept this. The worst case that happened was the teacher sending away a boy who applied power on his face. At the national level, the LGBTQ+ were discriminated, could not receive certain health services, which also did not give the right information about the danger from overuse of hormone. LGBTQ people had to struggle in their jobs until they were able to earn enough for themselves and the family that they were accepted at the household level. If we are accepted by fathers and mothers from the start, we might be able to go further than this.”
However, when time passed and all sectors cooperated, Assoc. Prof. Chatkhaneh Phraehao added, “The social value at the household level started to change, Many believe that whatever the child may be does not matter. What matters is that the child should be a good person. They began to accept the gender condition of their children. At a hospital, a male nurse was not able to wear a female nurse hat could now wear the white hat according to the gender condition. There are centers in hospitals to give consultation before someone receives the gender affirmation surgery free of charge.”
Tanakorn Phuphanchuak (Norita), a student of the Faculty of Education related that his parents have accepted and understood since he was young. The parents protect him from what happens outside. He also has teachers at the secondary school and university who are open. Some is an LGBTQ and is a good teacher model. So I understand both the academic knowledge and life knowledge. The lecturer reflects the social happiness to us to see that LGBTQ have the place to gracefully stand in the society. This makes me want to be a good teacher like him. Now, I’m studying for a master’s degree and will build inspiration for others like I received from the lecturer.”
LGBTQ+ “Proud to be Pride”, celebrates the soon effective Marriage Equality Act
It is now known that on June 18, the house of government, at the senators’ meeting, discussed and passed the draft of Marriage Equality Act. The Commission in this regard was chaired by Mr. Wallop Tungkananurak. After the members voiced their opinions for all of the 69 clauses, the draft Act passed and was submitted to the Cabinet for further process. Now, it awaits the former announcement in the Royal Gazette, and will be effective in 120 days after the announcement.
Khun Puncharat Talert, Manager of the Isan LGBTQ+ Network Foundation, Khon Kaen said that he intended to come here today and join the Isan Pride Parade. He wanted to be part of the history of the passing of the Marriage Equality Act, for everyone in the society should receive equal rights as the others.
Miss Nantaphak Thongwow, a 3rd year student majoring in Thai Language, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences said, “As a friend of LGBTQ, I enjoy them. They are fun and have good attitudes. We should not judge anyone because they are different from us. I did my best for the procession in the Isan Pride, for my friends. I’m glad that the Marriage Equality Act passed. That means my friends will have more rights in the society. I will support my friends in everything. You don’t have to worry that you are walking alone.”
Ajarn Nada Chaijit, from the Department of Law, Mae Fa Luang University said, “It is something to be happy about that the Marriage Equality Act passed. We can now register the marriage and can have the basic rights at the workplace and can enter any business transaction. However, the Act will be effective in 120 days and so the officials will have time to prepare things for this Act such as making new forms, new citizen registration system and changes in information technology. This act will make both the business and governmental sectors open and accept LGBTQ+. It will also be the beginning of the Act for Protection of Sex Condition and will lead to LGBTQ+ receiving of beneficial rights.”
Isan Pride 2024 featured various activities that demonstrated the importance placed of LGBTQ+, such as forums, Pride Parades, different performances, Night Market. There were also contests of Pride Parade and KKU Pride Icon. The organizers wanted to build the zone of pride for all sexes, and so the event was joined by students, staff, governmental and private organizations, and the public. Those who joined were able to talk and exchange their opinions about gender equality, build awareness of the rights of LGBTQ+ in the society, and accept all groups of people with different sexes, ages, cultures and traditions. Everyone has the pride equal right as a human being. Khon Kaen University is ready to be the area for the multiplicity and we will not leave anyone behind.
News Article: Jiraporn Pratomchai
Photos: Atthapon Hampong
For more pictures, visit: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=cadkku&set=a.913105393950066&locale=th_TH