Fighting the HIV Stigma in Thailand [S5.E2]

Greg interviews Midnight Poonkasetwattana and Inad Rendon,
the Executive Director and Program Director at
APCOM, a nonprofit organization that advocates
on behalf of gay men who are facing discrimination. We begin by
raising the issue of the image of Thailand as a very gay-friendly
place. Does the reality match the reputation? According to
Midnight, in some ways, because Thai culture is less
confrontational and LGBTQI people in Thailand are unlikely to
face violence. However, Midnight notes that the West often
provides legal protections lacking in Thailand, such as same-sex
marriage or partnership rights. 


Inad tells his story of living in the Philippines as a gay
and HIV-positive man, and the differences between his past life
and what it's like living in Thailand. In general, the
Philippines was more conservative and traditional, given the
influence of Catholicism and Islam. But Inad concurs that it's a
mistake to think of Thailand as a gay paradise. Check out
TestBKK for more info on what's being done in
this regard.


The men continue with details on the myriad obstacles and
difficulties that LGBTQI individuals encounter in Thailand, and
the role that NGOs play in countries that don't have an extensive
social safety net. Greg and the guests focus on the treatment of
HIV-positive men in Thailand, how education can help remove
ignorance around the situation, and how the situation is
improving.


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