Calls mount for transgender equality

Advocates have addressed the challenges facing Thailand’s transgender community during a conference in which they also called for equal rights and protection across the board.

- PORAMET TANGSATHAPORN

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation, together with academic institutions and 21 transgender advocacy organisations, held the 2nd Thailand Transgender Wellbeing Conference in Bangkok yesterday.

The event, the largest national conference on transgender issues, brought together over 200 advocates and individuals from 20 provinces, highlighting the urgent need for policies beyond gender-affirming surgery.

It was agreed during a panel talk that, despite Thailand being well-known for its acceptance of transgender individuals, discrimination against them remains prevalent, particularly in rural areas. Thus, it called for legal protections, workplace inclusion, and societal acceptance to ensure equality for all transgender individuals.