Page 71 - งานเชิดชูเกียรติผู้หญิงนักปกป้องสิทธิมนุษยชนวันสตรีสากล 2561

The Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human

Rights in Thailand (Thai TGA)

Transgender human rights defender (“katoey)

Discrimination and other human rights violations of transgender
people happen for an extended period of time in all levels of Thai

society and institutions including in the family, in education field
and public health as well as in politics. As compared to the general
population, it is a rather visible phenomenon that transgenders

are often obstructed from accessing education and employment
opportunities. In addition, the attitude and prejudice of people in the

society result in transgenders being discriminated or hated. Moreover,
there are stigmas attached to transgenders whereby they are regarded
as a “deviation”, or suffering from “mental disorder” or “psychosis.”

This belief is combined with the myth, which thinks of these people
as having intensively abnormal emotions that they are unable to con-
trol. These myths only increase discrimination and rejection of these

people. In this context, it is difficult for them to have an acceptable
career in the society and a progress in life.
The discriminatory situations they face led gay men and

transgenders or “katoey” to gather and facilitate a stronger movement

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