A network of civil society organizations has called on political parties to push for a gender recognition law, as not allowing trans people to change their gender markers and limiting legal markers to a binary male or female have led to discrimination against trans, non-binary, and intersex people.

The Transmasculine Network for Equality (TransEqual), the Campaign Committee for a National Policy on Transgender Health and Well-being and other civil society organizations held a public panel discussion on Tuesday (13 January) on discrimination and hate crime against LGBTQ+ people.

The discussion highlighted the discrimination still faced by the Thai LGBTQ+ community, especially transmasculine and non-binary people, who are unprotected and often unable to gain equal access the justice system.

After the panel, the network read out a statement calling for legal gender recognition and for political parties running in the upcoming general election to back a gender recognition law.

The statement said that it is a fundamental human right for people to determine their own gender identity, and that gender recognition based on self-determination is an internationally accepted principle. While Thailand has now legalised marriage regardless of gender, it still lacks legal gender recognition for trans, non-binary, and intersex people, and its legal system only recognizes two genders.

Not being able to change their gender markers in official documents has resulted in discrimination against trans, non-binary, and intersex people. They have been denied jobs because the gender in their documents does not match their appearance, and they are questioned when accessing public services such as during financial transaction or when going through immigration. They are also treated unfairly or with hostility during medical treatment.

The lack of legal gender recognition puts trans, non-binary, and intersex people at risk of violence and harassment due to society’s gender bias. They are also living in insecurity as their identity is not recognized by the state.

These cases, said the statement, show that gender recognition based on self-determination is not a privilege but a basic condition for equality. The statement noted that political parties, government agencies, and civil society groups have proposed several gender recognition bills, showing that they also recognize that it is important to have this law. However, these bills were rejected, denying legal protection for trans, non-binary, and intersex people.

The network calls on political parties running in the upcoming general election to back a gender recognition law and to commit to passing this law when they are elected to ensure that every citizen’s rights and dignity will be protected in line with the Constitution and international human rights principles.

The network stresses that gender recognition is not about specific groups of people but the entire society. Constructive conversation and presenting facts is the way towards a society with gender equality for all.

During the event, organizers also addressed issues being discussed online over recent weeks, including the misconception that trans women trick men into marrying them. They said that there is no evidence proving that this occurs, and that gender recognition laws in other countries do not have negative familial or social effect. Allowing legal gender recognition also does not take away the rights of cisgender people; it only extends legal protection to trans people.

They also said that, during medical treatment, professionals do not rely simply on gender markers on identification documents but make decisions based on the patient’s physical condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized gender affirming care as a healthcare standard for improving patients’ quality of life, well-being, and safety. Gender recognition is not an obstacle; instead, it helps create a more friendly and equal healthcare system. In other countries with a gender recognition law, it is found that the law helps citizens feel more accepted, dignified, and a part of society.