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Movie screening “Let’s Love” and discussion with the Director on LGBTQI community in Laos
9 February, 2019 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
The LGBTQI community in Laos could be described as “invisible”. Sexual diversity is not criminalized in the country, but it is far from being fully accepted. At the recent Luang Prabang Film Festival a short documentary was presented that aims to expand public discussion on what is like being LGBTQI in Laos and question societal attitudes towards them. “LET’s LOVE”, the 30-minutes documentary that will be screened at SEA Junction at 5.30PM on 9 February 2019, tells the sentimental life of Mai – a young lesbian in a society where she cannot freely manifest her feelings. Through Mai’s complex relationships with her family, friends and wider society, the documentary illuminates the discrimination experienced by LGBTQI in Laos.
After showing the film, there will be an open discussion with the film director Dorn Bouttasing about what inspired her to make this film and what she hopes to achieve. She will also discuss the conditions of the LGBTQI community in Laos and tell of the reaction the documentary received, including by government institutions. Thai LGBTQI activist Thanita Wongprasert will then reflect on the documentary and about the lesbian movement in Thailand and more generally Southeast Asia.
Director’s Profile
Dorn Bouttasing is the founder and director of Green Laos Community Volunteers (GLCV), an organization that advocates for sustainable development in Laos. GLCV conducts community-based research, and make documentaries about local environmental issues, raising awareness on the impacts from large-scale development project such as, hydropower dams, mono plantation and chemical supply on agriculture. She also consults with the Land Learning Initiative for Food Security Enhancement (LIFE) Project. This is her second film, after producing a documentary on the Ou River in Laos entitled the “River Changes from Community’s View”.
Commentator’s Profile
Thanita Wongprasert (called Ninar) has been a youth LGBTI activist since her sophomore year and has been involved in activities to advocate LGBTI rights with local NGOs and international organizations. She participated in the Being LGBTI in Asia program as an intern with UNDP Regional Hub and is now pursuing her master on international development at Chulalongkorn University with a thesis on marriage equality laws and policies through a queer perspective
The event is free, but donations are most welcome to enable SEA Junction to continue its activities and keep events accessible to the public.
For information/reservation for our events please email southeastasiajunction@gmail.com or phone/wa: +66970024140
Organizer:
SEA Junction, OUR Venue to Connect on Southeast Asia (see https://seajunction.org) SEA Junction aims to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions –from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 408 of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium) SEA junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. For more information see seajunction.org and join the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1693055870976440/
