Watsamon “June” Tri-Yasakda: “I want my work to change society’s understanding of LGBTQ."

During her childhood, June witnessed an absence of television icons with whom she could relate to. “Heterosexuals may take this issue for granted, but whenever you turned on the TV, the love between man and woman seemed to be the norm,” she recalls. The absence of same-sex couples portrayed on Thai TV triggered the thought that the attraction toward others of the same sex was not conversational. But this slowly changed when she discovered more gender diversity in Western media.

June is currently a full-time photographer at The Standard, one of Thailand’s top online news agencies. When she’s not taking lifestyle snapshots, June’s interest turns to a bigger issue—the LGBTQ community. Her journalistic photographs have been exhibited all over, from Thailand, to South Korea, to the UK. “In Thai media, the LGBTQ have been portrayed polemically, either as the most vicious or the most successful, like a superwoman for instance. But there isn’t enough space for regular individuals that are interested in the same sex.” Thus, June took it upon herself to tell their stories.

"We are not asking for privilege; we only want equality."

June decided to become an advocate for LGBTQ rights through photography when she realized that there was a lack of support for the LGBTQ community from the government. “People may think that Thailand is a paradise for the LGBTQ, but the situation is really bad in terms of human rights. The Civil Partnership Act is expected to be passed soon, but if you look into the details closely, they are not rights equivalent to those of the heterosexuals. We are not asking for privilege; we only want equality.”

Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok

The photographer’s extensive body of work touches on various issues and events. She’s used imagery to criticize traditional notions of power and hegemony, taking portraits of male students of different sexual identities wearing school uniforms for a set called “7465.” She’s also documented a mass wedding for same-sex couples in Manila, held by a Philippine LGBTQ church, and is now working on a current project named “Mr. Pearl,” which follows the daily life and stories of transman Kanattsanan Dokput. “I want my work to change society’s understanding of LGBTQ. I want diversity to be created in the media. It could trigger questions among the viewers, which can result in conversation and hopefully understanding.”

Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok