Asst Prof Dr Thawatchai Thumthong, Vice President of Phuket Rajabhat University, confirmed the formal acceptance of modern gender identities at a university seminar today (Oct 2).
The seminar, titled "Looking from another perspective, adjusting to the LGBTQ+ perspective and expressing oneself through language in the midst of equality”, was organised by Thai Liberal Arts students studying Thai-language majors under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
“Gender equality is extremely important and has many perspectives from the United Nations. At the same time, students have applied it when studying through student research, together reflecting society’s perspective,” Asst Prof Dr Thawatchai said.
“This year, Phuket Rajabhat University has given students the opportunity to dress according to their gender when receiving their diplomas for gender equality as well,” he added.
Dr Thawatchai praised the students who organised the event because it “gave the project participants direct and useful experience and corresponds to the situation that is currently receiving attention”.
“Concerning the call for gender equality among the LGBTQ+ group, especially the issue of language use, in order to create understanding among people in society, respecting the rights of people of every gender and group will lead to true equality between the genders,” Dr Thawatchai said.
Suthiyan Thanasapkasem, on behalf of the project chairman, said, “Changing times have seen people with diverse sexualities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, play a greater role.
“Studying the language use of the LGBTQ+ group is therefore one option for better understanding the LGBTQ+ group, especially studying the use of language in calling for equality on social media.
“The use of appropriate vocabulary when using sentences or telling stories when expressing oneself through the use of language in various forms allows people to freely reflect one’s own ideas,” he added.