Despite a forecast for an 80% chance of rain, the wet weather held off for the duration of Pattaya Community Prides June 10th event. Starting with a Parade that traveled down Jomtien Beach Road to Supertown Jomtien Complex, it was followed by a large street party with two stages of entertainment.
The event was coordinated by SWING Foundation.
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There will be numerous events held throughout the month of June with the highlight being the Pattaya Pride Celebration held on the afternoon and evening of June 10th. This highly anticipated event will be sponsored by the SWING (Service Workers in Group) Foundation.
The Gay Rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community, was first introduced in 1978 by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker, who was urged by Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., to create a symbol of pride for the gay community. The original flag had eight colors, each with its own unique symbolism.
The colors were hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic, blue for serenity, and violet for spirit. The first versions of the rainbow flag were flown on June 25, 1978, for the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade. Baker and a team of volunteers had made them by hand, and now he wanted to mass-produce the flag for consumption by all.
However, because of production issues, the pink and turquoise stripes were removed, leaving the flag with the six colors we know today. The different colors are often associated with "diversity" in the gay community but actually have literal meanings. The flag has since become an international symbol for LGBTQ+ pride and can be seen flying at pride events around the world.
Mark your Calendars because Gay Pride Celebrations return to Supertown on June 10th, 2023!
The event is sponsored by SWING (Service Workers In Group). SWING is a Thailand-based charity that promotes and protects the health, human rights, and dignity of sex workers of all genders, cultures, and nationalities.
They have three peer-led drop-in centers in tourist hotspots in Thailand and facilitate access to healthcare services for the LGBT community, with a primary focus on HIV and AIDS treatment.
SWING also provides education and advocacy for the prevention of exploitation. Over the past 10 years, SWING has expanded its coverage to include issues that affect male and transgender sex workers.
The Event will kick off at 3 pm in the afternoon. Details are being finalized as this is being written and this post will be updated as details become available. The photos in this blog are from last year's event.
The first post-Covid Songkran Celebration is in the books and it was celebrated with plenty of flair in Supertown. Many Bars opened early on the final day with Drink Specials, Foam Parties, and Live DJs!
While most parts of Thailand limit the Songkran Celebration to three days, Pattaya continues the festivities for a full seven days!
People are generally divided into two camps regarding this Holiday. They either love it or hate it. While many people embrace it, others plan to go out of town for the week.
The most important thing to know is, YOU WILL GET WET! So, dress appropriately, keep your Phone & Wallet in a plastic bag, and enjoy this water-soaked free for all!
Nearly all bars offer Live Music or DJs as well as free food and often a Cabaret Show on Party Nights. These parties may revolve around a staff member's Birthday, a Holiday, or just for the heck of it! Typically, parties happen almost weekly (sometimes several nights a week), and you can keep track of them from our Supertown Facebook Page.
With 34 Bars, there is so much to choose from, seven nights a week. And last, but certainly not least are those handsome, smiling faces waiting to greet you in Supertown!
Thailand has a rich history of LGBTQ+ culture, with evidence of same-sex relationships dating back to the Ayutthaya period (1351 to 1767)
However, it wasn't until recent years that the country began to officially recognize and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2008, Thailand held its first Pride event, but the following year's parade was blocked by protesters. It wasn't until 2019 that the parade returned, and in 2022, the country held its first official Pride parade with local government backing.
The Pride parade in 2022 saw thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies take to the streets of Bangkok to celebrate Pride month. This event came as parliament considered increasing the rights of same-sex couples
Thailand's LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges and discrimination, but progress is being made. In 2021, the country passed a civil union bill, allowing same-sex couples to legally register their partnerships. This was a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand.
As the country continues to move forward, it's important to remember and celebrate the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Thailand. Pride month is a time to recognize and honor the contributions and struggles of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer population in the country. With continued support and advocacy, Thailand's LGBTQ+ community can continue to thrive and make progress towards equality.
Despite a forecast for an 80% chance of rain, the wet weather held off for the duration of Pattaya Community Prides June 10th event. Startin...
