Media’s Stigmatization: Reproduction of Gay Myths in Thai Society

Abstract

Thai gay men’s increasing appropriation of public space is often misinterpreted as Thai society’s embrace of the notion of sexual diversity. The representation of gay by mainstream media, however, continues to denote social biases. This constantly negative reproduction of social myths regarding gay indicates, to an extent, that Thai society is not yet ready to allow equal public displays of same-sex and heterosexual relationships. In other words, Thai society is still unprepared to validate same-sex relationships as another pattern of love.