Contestation on Gender and Sexuality

Abstract

The language and principles of liberalism, such as equality and individual freedom, have enabled women to engage and struggle in the formal political arena in many societies. Women and other groups previously excluded from political participation have fought for political inclusion, equal political rights, and political representation. As the principle of gender equality has been upheld by increasing numbers of states, various issues regarded as private/domestic have been brought into the policy formulation process and legislation. Impacts of such inclusion and struggle have been the alteration of political structures, adoption of new policies, and redefinition and broadening of issues debated in the public arena. In Thailand, the debate in parliament on a bill to amend the law on commercial sex was examined to understand how members of parliament utilize and define the principle of gender equality to support or oppose the bill. The debate in parliament reflected how the relation between formal equality and sexual double standard is contested and negotiated in the political arena. In addition, this examination contributes to a better understanding of how a democratic system and democratization facilitate the struggle to correct unequal values for sexual conduct among women and men.

Key Words:

• Politics
• gender
• sexuality
• gender equality
• commercial sex
• legislation
• Thailand