Buddhism, gender, and sexualities: queer spiritualities in Thailand

What is it about?

1. In 2020, the exchange rate was approximately 39 baht to 1 GBP. 2. Making merit is a concept considered fundamental to Buddhist practice. In this paper, merit activities refer to acts or thoughts that bring good and agreeable results, determine the quality of the next life and contribute to a person's growth toward enlightenment. 3. Sangha: Buddhist monastic order, traditionally composed of four groups: monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. The Sangha is one of the three jewels of Buddhism, together with the Buddha and the Dharma. 4. The Lotus Sutra is one of the most influential in Mahayana Buddhism and was likely written down between 100 B.C. and 200 A.D. It is also influential for other East Asian Buddhist schools, such as Zen. 5. Cabaret theatres have become tourist attractions in Thailand. These theatres present straightforward shows with men dressed as women, or as they are known in the trade, “female impersonation artists.” Known in Thai as “kathoeys,” the performers are almost invariably transgender and at some stage of gender reassignment surgery. 6. Go-go bars provide live shows, special shows, and wild sex fantasies. There is a short educational course for sex workers in these bars because some dancing and acting skills are required. Customers have to pay to enter go-go bars and receive one free drink. 7. In a host bar, customers pay for drinks and there is no cover charge. The customers enjoy drinking and conversing with sex workers in host bars. There are no special shows in host bars, and therefore no training is required for the sex workers. They must teach themselves to speak English and how to please customers. As is the case of sex work, the more experience they have, the more money they can earn. 8. Pink Lotus Bathroom: The first well-known transgender restroom in Thailand, at the Lanna Polytechnic Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai Province. 9. The group which organizes or sponsors a kathin procession. It is believed that they will receive a great deal of merit for doing so. 10. Satsang: to associate with or to be in the company of religious people. 11. Transgender beauty contests are a major form of entertainment in Thailand and promise great prestige to the winner. The Tiffany Show in Pattaya also organizes its own transgender beauty contest, Miss Tiffany’s Universe, with the cooperation of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. These competitions are so much a part of Thai culture that some are held in Buddhist temples as fundraisers for the maintenance of the temple.

Featured Image