THAILAND: BANGKOK'S WEEK-LONG GAY FESTIVAL CULMINATES WITH ANNUAL GAY PRIDE PARADE

Record ID: 278344

  • Title: THAILAND: BANGKOK'S WEEK-LONG GAY FESTIVAL CULMINATES WITH ANNUAL GAY PRIDE PARADE
  • Date: 21st November 2004
  • Summary: (U2)BANGKOK, THAILAND (NOVEMBER 21, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. MEN IN HOUSE APPLYING MAKEUP AND GETTING DRESSED 0.06 2. MAN GETTING MAKEUP APPLIED 0.10 3. CLOSE OF MAN GETTING MAKEUP DONE 0.15 4. PAN OF MAKEUP ON TABLE 0.21 5. CU: PHOTO OF DRAG QUEENS IN GOWNS 0.24 6. MEN GETTING READY IN WOMEN'S CLOTHES 0.30 7. MEN
  • Embargoed: 6th December 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Reuters ID: LVA3NYTM2Y0HAPFUCL3JFEN7TE14
  • Story Text: Annual gay pride parade held in Bangkok.



    Bangkok's week-long gay festival culminated in a
    puff of perfume, hairspray and make up on Sunday (November
    21) as the capital's infamous drag queens spruced up for
    the annual pride parade.

    The job was unenviable. Turning a room full of men into
    fetching ladies required six hours of marathon grooming,
    not to mention an endless supply of eyelashes, foundation
    and whisky.

    Controversy and catclaws reigned behind the scenes as
    costumes went missing, hair pieces fell apart and fake
    bosoms rested on a pile of five-inch stilettos.

    The festival has become the annual highlight for
    Bangkok's very visible and thriving gay community.

    The event is part of a worldwide network of gay pride
    festivals, including mega parades in Sydney, Tokyo and San
    Francisco.

    Behind the fanfare are serious efforts to promote
    diversity, awareness and tolerance in Thai society, while
    showcasing the unique contribution the gay community makes
    to the city's colourful reputation.

    But these drag queens say they are not going to let
    politics get in the way of a good time.

    Appearing on a float flaunting a lot more than Thai
    culture, Wanchai Bantao says the aim of the game is simply
    to have fun.

    "We want to show how the gay life in Thailand. We want
    to show off. Big parade, you know. You ask me easy
    question," said Wanchai Bantao, who joined in the parade.

    Wanchai's partner for five years, Ian Griffin, says he
    has been partying at the gay parade since it first started
    in 1999.

    He says it is the lack of gay politics that keeps him
    coming back.

    "What I like the best is how relaxed the boys are and
    how natural they are. They really enjoy their lives. They
    just like to be themselves. That's what I like," said
    parade participant, Ian Griffin.

    While smaller than previous years, the event celebrated
    its sixth anniversary with the theme of 'Fresh'.

    The parade ran through the heart of Bangkok's gay
    community on Silom Road surrounded by nightclubs and
    restaurants popular with both gay and heterosexual
    Bangkokians.

    It was the grand finale of week-long celebrations,
    including a film festival, volleyball tournaments and a
    swimsuit competition for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
    transsexual community.

    Hundreds of people braved the baking heat and notorious
    traffic to watch trucks teaming with gyrating dancers roll
    past.

    "I thought it was really fascinating and really
    exciting to see it happening in Bangkok. To see that people
    can parade openly and the costumes were fabulous," said
    tourist, Gary Atkins.

    The Pride Festival is organised by the Bangkok Pride
    Coalition, which is a non-profit organisation that raises
    money for needy Thai charities.


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