A drag queen rides on Thai protest wave

Reuters Videos
Updated

Dressed in a white wig and a dash of glitter 26-year-old Thai drag queen Aunchalee Pokinwuttipob, has marched with pro-democracy protesters that have put immense pressure on Thailand's establishment... protests that have even made taboo calls to limit the powers of the Thai monarchy.

They say the royals have enabled decades of military domination.

But Aunchalee hit the streets for a different reason; a greater call for LGBT rights.

"WE ARE PISSED OFF OF THE LGBT RIGHTS WHICH YOU HAD PROMISED BUT YOU DIDN'T DELIVER, WE ARE SO PISSED ABOUT THIS. iF YOU CAN'T GOVERN OR MANAGE THE COUNTRY OR GIVE US WHAT WE WANT, GET OUT. GET OUT!"

Born her family's eldest son, Aunchalee's monarchist father cut her off when she joined the protests.

Her fight for acceptance has been an uphill battle, and Aunchalee says she can't have a proper conversation with him about gender and identity much less her role in the protests.

But she has found support in the crowds as they gather for rallies:

"Today was fun, everyone was participating with us. The Thai drag queens have not really got a chance to get up to speak much. It was nice to see that everyone liked us and appreciated who we are."

At the protests, Aunchalee didn't shy away from the spotlight.

She's used to the attention after performing in cabaret bars since dropping out of school at 15, better known by the stage name, Angele Anang.

She's even got fans after she starred in the Thai reality TV show, "Drag Race".

At protests, she's armed with a megaphone, angry at the government's failure to change laws that transgender Thais call discrimination..

"This is one of the things that [is] connected to human rights, it's the freedom of speech, the freedom of living, the freedom of, you know, you don't get killed by being different."

After the protests disband for the night, Aunchalee often spends hours sewing a new costume before putting on a show, where her outfits stand out in a sea of student protesters often dressed in black.

It helps add to a relaxed atmosphere as people take to the streets.

Thailand's demonstrations are also a rare opportunity to push for greater liberalism and remove obstacles for LGBT people, from jobs to inheritance to adopting children.

Aunchalee has vowed to keep fighting and dancing for equality, no matter how long it takes.