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Writer's pictureManushya Foundation
Feb 15, 2022

#BoysLove 🌈 Representation of LGBTIQ+ relationships in Thai media: Can it hurt real communities?









💖 On the occasion of yesterday's Valentine's Day, let's remember that love has no limitations when it comes to gender, sexual orientation or sex characteristics! 🌈 Despite great gains made in recent years for the LGBTIQ+ community, media in Thailand are stuck in the past, using outdated and offensive stereotypes, and limiting representations of them to comic, or sensational roles. Has the rise of the "Boys Love" TV series changed anything? Read more ⤵️


➡️ In 2020-2021, Thailand launched up to 117 "BL" (Boys Love) TV series (‘Y’ in Thai). The Thai BL Drama market has grown rapidly and has attracted fans worldwide. BUT the question is: do BL TV series represent the LGBTIQ+ community well enough or is it just a fantasy that does not have any impact on the community?


⚠️ Before the rise of BL dramas, Thai media portrayed LGBTIQ+ people, so-called “third gender”, in negative stereotypes, such as inappropriate behaviour toward straight people, or a clown of the show, especially, when they are kathoeys or ladyboys.


👨‍❤️‍👨 Not much better when it comes to BL dramas, as gender roles in non-heterosexual communities are expected in their relationships. For example, Thai media often use the binary representation of the “more masculine” partner and the “more feminine” partner. This heteronormative setup has been hurting LGBTIQ+ persons since forever! Moreover, the full LGBTIQ+ spectrum including non-cisgender person relationships is still not represented.


#WeAreManushyan - Equal Human Beings - Equality for ALL!


✊ Manushya Foundation will always stand in solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ communities!

We must stop encouraging gender conditioning through heteronormative representation in media, and embrace love in all its forms!


💖 We love you.

🏳️‍🌈 We see you.


❓ How can you support the LGBTIQ+ community in the quest for true equality?


👉 Like this post to express your support!

👉 Share with your friends and family to spread awareness about LGBTIQ+ representation in Thai media

👉 Joint the conversation! 🗣️ What characters would you like to see more on TV?

👉 Join the call to legalize marriage equality now! Sign the petition here: https://www.support1448.org/



References:


Nippon, The Evolution of “Boys’ Love” Culture: Can BL Spark Social Change? (Sept 24, 2020), available at: https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00607/


Feminism in Asia, Boy Love Dramas: Unpacking Stereotypes In The Portrayal Of Homosexual Romance (August 20, 2021), available at: https://feminisminindia.com/2021/08/20/boy-love-dramas-unpacking-stereotypes-in-the-portrayal-of-homosexual-romance/


Khaosod English, Mainstream media trades in worst LGBT stereotypes (December 2, 2015), available at :

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