With a profound belief in an inclusive world and equal rights for all genders, Jim Thompson, Thailand’s most iconic lifestyle brand, celebrates and honors Pride Month in June with its visionary campaign, “Beyond Gender.” This initiative brings together three influential LGBTQIA+ personalities who use their platforms to ignite change within Thai society. Their message surpasses surface-level gestures and underlines the pressing need for acceptance of diversity in all areas of life, from government to the workplace, creating a lasting impact. They stress that to achieve true equality in society, the law must reflect acceptance of all genders. Their empowering message echoes the call for universal equality.
Lalita Bespinyowong: Those in power must act to demonstrate genuine support for the LGBTQIA+ community
Lalita ‘Pui’ Bespinyowong, a luxury connoisseur and Store Manager and High Jewelry Expert at Bulgari Thailand, has noticed an increased acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community due to globalization in recent years. However, she emphasized the necessity of additional effort to cultivate a more inclusive world.
“Regarding equal rights for LGBT people, progress has been disappointingly slow. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals still face significant obstacles and prejudice in traditional workplaces. We have been actively voicing our concerns and striving to make a difference. I believe it is high time Thailand legalized acceptance to ensure equality,” Pui said. She shared instances where her transgender friends encountered difficulties at airport customs or during business transactions due to discrepancies between their appearance and the gender information on their passports or ID cards. “Including gender identity on these documents would significantly ease our lives,” she remarked.
Pui sharing her perspective on the concept of a genderless society and its impact on everyone said, “In theory, it sounds like a good idea. However, it might lead to confusion. Maintaining a record of one’s biological sex on identification documents is still essential, especially in medical emergencies. The real challenge lies in finding the right balance in society between gender identity and biological sex,” she said.
Boonrawd Areewong: We do not need your halfhearted acceptance
Boonrawd Areewong, a charismatic influencer from the Poocao Channel on YouTube who represents the LGBTQIA+ community, spoke about her personal journey through life, filled with experiences of ill-treatment and bullying. Reflecting on the degree of acceptance for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Thai society, Boonrawd commented, “While they may claim to have no issues with us, we know deep down that they perceive us as unequal. We continue to lack the same fundamental rights as our heterosexual counterparts.”
Securing a job was one of the primary challenges that Boonrawd faced. “Being different influences how employers view us. As a member of the LGBTQ community with a disability, despite having immense potential, finding a job has always been difficult for me. Hence, I believe its time for change. Talent should not be linked to gender or physical disability. Everyone in society deserves equal job opportunities. I have encountered numerous rejections due to my sexual orientation and physical limitations,” she asserted.
Sharing her aspirations, Boonrawd revealed her dream of opening a Khon studio, a reflection of her passion for Thai traditional dance. “I genuinely hope for true acceptance in the near future. In the end, it’s our actions and achievements that define us, not our identities,” she added.
Erk- Chrrissa: I’d love to see more LGBTQ political role models.
Chrrissa “Erk” Chotijirasathit, a prominent LGBTQIA+ personality with an eponymous YouTube channel, also shared her perspective on the inadequate acceptance faced by the community. “It seems we have reached a consensus that being LGBTQIA+ is acceptable. But we must not forget that some parents still struggle to accept and love their LGBTQ children unconditionally, secretly wishing they were straight. This, to me, is heartbreaking,” she said.
Chrrissa also expressed her desire to see an increased representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in roles such as teachers, politicians, and athletes. “LGBTQ+ individuals are part of every community. Our appearances do not define us, and I urge everyone to judge us based on our actions,” she stressed.
Sharing her perspective on the concept of a “Beyond Gender” world, Chrrissa pointed out that some people fail to acknowledge the diverse dimensions and individuality within the LGBTQ+ community. Recounting a job interview experience, she recalled the interviewer suggesting that she apply for a dancer role, which left her shocked. “Just like anyone else, I have my own passions and aspirations in life. We are not bound to conform to stereotypes such as dancing and entertainment. The value of a human being goes far beyond gender,” she concluded.
Jim Thompson: Embracing diversity with its new “Beyond Silk” tagline
Jim Thompson steadfastly believes in a diverse world that embraces all genders, backgrounds, cultures, and potentials. This belief permeates every aspect of the brand’s operations. Recently, Jim Thompson introduced a new tagline, ‘Beyond Silk.’ This tagline symbolizes the brand’s evolution beyond its world-renowned Thai silk heritage, indicating a shift towards a more comprehensive lifestyle approach. Despite these changes, the brand remains committed to providing an exceptional lifestyle experience and championing inclusive values.
By participating in Pride Month celebrations, Jim Thompson hopes to pave the way towards ‘a world beyond gender’.
