Discrimination and Marginalization of LGBT Workers in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand is perceived to be open to people of diverse sexualities and gender expressions but a recent study commissioned by the International Labour Organization (ILO) found persistent stigma, discrimination and marginalization of Thai lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workers. Discrimination occurs at all stages of employment, from education and training to access to employment, career advancement, and job and social security benefits. Gay, lesbian and bisexual workers are tolerated as long as they stay in the closet, while transgender persons face the strongest barriers to employment, being systematically excluded from many mainstream jobs in both public and private sectors and marginalized to a few stereotypical jobs open to them. While Thailand has seen some positive legislative changes towards recognizing LGBT rights in recent years, genuine acceptance of gender diversity is still lacking in most Thai workplaces, especially in the public sector. Hostile work environments, in the forms of gossip, insensitive jokes, slurs, insults, sexual harassment and violence, result in many LGBT workers opting out of gainful employment for more accepting jobs that often offer lower pay, less job security and limited social protection. LGBT workers living with HIV and transgender sex workers face double stigma based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, HIV or sex worker status. Transgender sex workers are also a target of police harassment and extortion. The article concludes with policy recommendations.