In this exclusive interview, EQ sit down with ปณต “Teuy” ศรีนวล to discuss her latest book “Banteuk Kateoy Isaan” (“Isaan Trans Diary”) which has won the Progressive Fund from Common School, under the supervision of the Progressive Movement. Here, we will explore the author’s experiences in encountering gender inequality, the suppression of issues stemming from a male-dominated system, and the uneven distribution of prosperity across different regions in Thailand.
In your opinion, which chapter of your book is the wildest? “It’s this chapter where I ended up staying at a temple. It delves into facing mortality and discovering what the monks and novices go through. All along, I had this idea of the temple as this sacred haven. I thought that in a setting where many men coexist, traditional masculinity would dominate. But who would’ve ever guessed that in that very context, there’d also be room for gay men. It’s kind of like discovering a hidden realm within, where this hot top wields influence.”
“So, he would get hit on by these novice monks, me included. Each group would have an older novice guiding them, and the affeminate novices would have a ‘sister’ as their mentor. Just think about it, it’s like the older transgender woman taking care of the younger transgender girl. I used to think that being in the temple would elevate one’s masculinity. But once I was really immersed in it, I ended up discovering more about myself and realized that I am a transgender.”
Do people ever share their own similar stories with you after reading the book? “Many people who reach out don’t always do so because of our shared transgender identity, but often because of our shared Isaan background. They understand quite well that breaking free from adversity requires education. That’s why they wake up early, taking trains back and forth, just hoping that as they grow up, they’ll escape poverty. There are many others who also empathize with a point in life where they didn’t want to pursue vocational education but desired to study liberal arts. Yet, circumstances led them to other provinces, where they faced resistance. Those of us who are both Isaan and part of the LGBTQ+ community, we’ve been fighting a lot. The complexities of identity are indeed a lived reality.”
Do you think that the perspective of Thai society in different provinces has become more accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals nowadays? “In the provinces, acceptance still comes with conditions. It has improved quite a bit, but it’s rooted in the belief that members of this group must fulfill certain roles. They need to excel in their studies and perform well at work. Currently, even I am a research assistant. This requires fieldwork. Once, I had the opportunity to interview transgender women in the northern region. I learned that they established groups to contribute in various ways, such as community development. For instance, Baan Sree. If you are a transgender woman, you're expected to participate in making ‘bai sree” (rice offering). If you don’t or can’t, you’re still expected to find a way to contribute. This indicates that even within the LGBTQ+ community, there are still issues of suppression related to gender identity. Acceptance often comes with certain conditions.”
What are the main issues with acceptance and valuing LGBTQ+ youth in different provinces? “The primary challenge in different provinces is the internal belief within the LGBTQ+ community that perpetuates self-suppression. There’s a saying that ‘being transgender means paying for affection.’ This mindset stems from both fear and disdain for transgender individuals. Even if this mindset isn’t completely shed within the community, it becomes challenging to drive gender equality. People within the LGBTQ+ community need to collectively challenge this belief. This issue has been highlighted in Universal Periodic Review (UPR) data, showing that many transgender individuals are economically disadvantaged due to their readiness to pay for love or acceptance. Many transgender individuals lack parental acceptance, yet in their parents’ old age, they return to care for them or compensate for past support. Transgender individuals often stay in stifling relationships, fearing they won’t find love if they leave.”
“I’ve been fighting this battle for a long time. When I was with my first partner, I did everything to make the relationship work. I had plans to pursue further studies, but abandoned them all for the sake of love. Since then, I spent half a year learning and growing. I eventually succeeded through hard work, taking on demanding projects. It was a way to compensate for the time that had passed. I felt conflicted about myself during that period. There was something missing that I had to strive to fill.”
Why is having visibility and representation in the media important for the LGBTQ+ community?
“The most straightforward way to make transgender individuals visible is to have them represented in the media. From the perspective of driving change, we can see that it holds power and allows us to have enough space. However, once we walk about 200 meters away from the pride parade, people no longer understand why we’re walking. There are still many who don’t understand. This is why the movement must continue. If visibility isn’t achieved, rights, legal protections, and compensation won’t exist. One thing we must understand is that no matter how many times people say there’s a lot of us, we are still a minority. We need to come together and push for the rights we deserve from the very beginning.”
Advice for trans youth in Thailand
“What I’d like to convey to transgender youth is that there’s often a belief that our future might not shine as brightly as those in opposite-sex relationships. However, I want you to understand that things will eventually be okay. Your aspirations can become reality. And while what’s considered true is often shaped by society, remember that truths can evolve. If you, as transgender youth, come across this message, the advice I’d like to offer is to hold onto your strength and embrace your authentic self. Even if society doesn’t fully embrace us, there will always be individuals who love and have faith in us in the end.”
Currently, Teuy is the founder and editor-in-chief of the news outlet “GendersMatter,” which focuses on issues related to gender diversity and intersectional identities. In addition to this, they have authored a book titled “Teuy's Tales: Transgender Individuals, Welfare State, and National Development,” which was their first book before the publication of the “Banteuk Kateoy Issan.”
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