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[title]Tanwarin “Golf” Sukkhapisit, known for directing “controversial” Thai films such as Insects in the Backyard (2010) and Fin Sugoi (2014), has had her fair share of pushback from the Film Censorship Board for tackling highly sensitive LGBTQ-centered issues. These, however, haven't discouraged her from fighting for what she believes in. She’s since taken her fight to a bigger arena, having jumped into politics with big goals in mind.
"We shouldn't frame anyone to be in a definition just by what they look like."
Thailand’s first openly transgender woman in parliament aims to advocate for marriage equality as well as shed light on the importance of government funding towards creative freedom. Marriage equality for the LGBTQ community is a frequently discussed topic in Thailand, but has not produced significant changes so far.
Golf aims to push her cause until the discriminatory law is changed. “It is not just about us being able to get married by passing a certain law. I wish the current law would accept us without setting us apart,” she exclaims.
Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok
A genderless world, where humans are just humans without categorization, is just the beginning of what her ideal world looks like. “This is a great opportunity for me to speak out about gender fluidity and gender diversity. We shouldn't frame anyone to be in a denifition just by what they look like, but acknowledge who they really are. I will fight until there is no longer an ‘LGBTQ community’ and we are all one and the same.”
Golf has just wrapped up production on a new series called Don’t Sleep My Hero and a theater piece named Trans I Am, and is now taking a break from directing in order to concentrate on her work as an MP. Hopefully we will see some positive changes during her term.
Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok