DELVE INTO THE DIVERSE GENDER IDENTITIES FROM ALL AGES, ETHNICITIES AND PROFESSIONS IN THAILAND IN A PHOTO BOOK BY THE WORLD-RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER STEVE MCCURRY
TEXT: PRATARN TEERATADA
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEW PRESS / PHOTOGRAPHS © STEVE MCCURRY
(For Thai, press here)
Steve McCurry
The New Press, 2021
Paperback
8 x 0.6 x 10 inches
152 pages
ISBN 978-1-62097-655-5
Thailand is considered to be one of the most openminded and friendliest countries in Asia when it comes to sexual diversity. Bangkok, in particular, is home to countless nightlife establishments operated to serve the LGBTQ clientele. The reality, however, doesn’t correspond with the worldview perception when it comes to social acceptance.
Belonging: Portraits from LGBTQ Thailand is the fifteenth volume of Steve McCurry’s series of photo books on LGBTQ communities around the world where he captures people from all walks of life and of diverse gender identities. McCurry is the person who famously took the photo of Sharbat Gula, the girl with the piercing green pair of eyes. Titled ‘Afghan Girl’, the photo made its way to the cover of National Geographic and earned its place as one of the most iconic works in contemporary photography. McCurry continues to work, capturing images of wars, refugee camps in places around the world. He has also been a member of Magnum Photos since 1986.
Belonging speaks about gender diversity of people from different occupations and of all ages, from 20 to 80, in different parts of Thailand, from a community doctor, a photographer, lovers, actors to a former boxer turned member of parliament. The book is designed by Emerson, Wajdowicz Studios and has Thai photographer, Tom Potisit as the coordinator and co-producer.
We were fortunate enough to have a brief conversation with Tom about the project. “I’m thrilled and honored that the publisher picked Thailand to be a part of the project and that the book has Steve who is one of the world’s most iconic photographers and whose work I have been admired and personally inspired by for so long, to capture stories of Thailand’s LGBTQ community. While this country is known to be one of the most gay-friendly countries in Asia, Thailand still has its own issues regarding gender equality and there are many aspects and problems that are being voiced from legal rights, family and workplace-related issues. I wish that this book will become another voice that speaks about people from of all gender identities from all ages, ethnicities and professions in Thailand; and through Steve McCurry’s lens, you will get to see, experience and perceive their stories.”