re: "Bangkok celebrates first Pride parade in 16 years" (BP, June 6, 2022)
Dear editor,
Whilst past my own days of hearty protest and parading in Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parades, those annual highlights from late 70s until I retired from Australia, I must congratulate Thailand's LGBTQ community on the cheerful public celebration of their presence enriching Thai society.
Keep up the good work. Keep up the cheerful, peaceful parades. Keep up the protests. Keep up the just demands for equality of rights. The experience of the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and of subsequent annual marches, parades and raising of voices internationally moved the world blessed with more-or-less liberal democratic forms of government from religiously inspired traditional fear, loathing and intolerance to the legalization of same-sex marriage in a mere three decades or so. That is a powerful testament to the power of persistent, proud, peaceful protest.
Cowering in silence in a closet never won slaves, women, black people, the disabled or any other group any rights, respect or protection by the law. Be out. Be proud. Be strong. And be loud. You deserve it. Thailand deserves it.
Felix Qui
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The above letter to the editor is the text as submitted by Felix Qui to the Bangkok Post.
The text as edited was published in PostBag on June 9, 2022, under the title "Power of protest" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2322978/an-ideal-path
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