[SOGIES] Transcending Duality: Exploring Self and Understanding Gender Diversity

Register at: https://forms.gle/n9YLppJiU3H2s8xH9

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Do you feel trapped by labels like "good person", "strong man", "feminine girl", or "smart child", when they prevent you from living a free and authentic life with yourself? Have you ever felt helpless in changing people's perceptions about gender roles and gender stereotypes, such as "men must drink and smoke" or "being gay is a sin and deserves punishment"?

The labels that others attach to us do not reflect who we truly are, whether they are labels about gender identity, career choice, or our lifestyle. This can lead to suppressing our true self just to please others, while creating self-disconnection from ourselves and causing suffering.

The truth is that we are all affected by the world around us. How society operates plays an important role in shaping how we view ourselves and others in the society we are living in. Therefore, understanding how these influences affect our beliefs and perspectives is very important.

The program "Beyond the Binary: Self-Exploration and SOGIES Awareness" was created to raise your overall understanding of gender equality and establish a solid foundation for the process of understanding yourself. The program is based on the Personal and Structural Change model from the International Women's Partnership Association for Peace and Justice (IWP). The program will focus on three important factors: understanding self, understanding society, and mindfulness. Through open discussion and experience sharing, we hope to encourage meaningful conversations about gender equality and SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression) in society.

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Time: 5 days (July 14-18, 2023)

PROGRAM CONTENT (Expected):

Day 1: Introduction and Co-Creation

- Course orientation and introductions

- Listen to learners' needs and co-create shared agreements about the program

- Learn about and practice Deep Listening

- Learn about self-care & healing - personal change and structural change

Day 2: Power-Based Society

- Structure of power and how to do power analysis

- Types of power

- Sources that create power

Day 3: Understanding Myself: How Society Shapes Us

- Gender box & binary society

- Visit SWING Foundation (Support organization for sex workers and deaf people)

- Visit gay venues

- Visit Patpong Museum (optional)

Day 4: Gender Equality & Gender Diversity

- Learn about the Gender Sexuality Pie Chart SOGIES

- Conversation with Ven.Chai, a gay male monk

- Conversation with social activists from the Transgender Alliance for Human Rights Organization

Day 5: Conclusion

- Learn about gender: discussion with young LGBTIQ+ social activists

- Reflection and sharing about personal experiences

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION COSTS

For regular applicants: 9,600,000 VND ($400), including: meals, accommodation, and program organization costs. Does not include international flights and transportation.

For VCIL Community Membership members (15% discount): 8,160,000 VND ($340).

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

With the desire to remove financial barriers and provide opportunities to many participants, VCIL Community will provide support in the following 2 forms:

1- Payment plans over 1-3 months

2- Scholarships up to 80%

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 5, 2023

FACILITATOR: Hua Boonyapisomparn

Nachale (Former Name - Sitthiphan) Boonyapisomparn, known as Hua to everyone, is a social activist for transgender people and is a transgender woman.

She has worked with organizations and groups of all sizes - from local non-profit organizations to international organizations and networks.

In particular, she has participated in founding several transgender organizations - locally, nationally in Thailand, and internationally. For example, becoming the first transgender supervisor of the Sisters program, a program under the supervision of International Population Services (Population Services International- PSI Thailand), a founding member of the Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights (TGA), and the first coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Transgender Network (APTN).

Besides only working on transgender rights, she also carries out policy advocacy work for organizations targeting women, LGBT, and other marginalized communities in Thailand.