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"Rainbow Media Award" is an award from Thailand Queer Network for media, individual and group of people whose works representing open-mindedness and fairness to GLBT, especially to the Thai GLBT community.

Thailand Queer Network will host the 2nd Rainbow Media Awards on Sunday April 23, 2006 to recognize a good work of media, individuals and group of people who presents unbiased stories of Thai GLBT community on ethical principle and equality.

In 2005, thousands of stories about Thai GLBT community had been presented through various media such as film, television, radio, and publication. Each of these stories affects the image and perception of Thai GLBT differently. Some are positive and some are negative. Some are subjective and some are objective.

Whatever the objective of the presentation might be, it sends out message and implication to and creates some sort of effect to everyone in the community. It can encourage or discourage harmony in the society that contains different people with different views and preferences.

Most media aware and respect the right of being equal. So they present the story in a straightforward manner without prejudice as they aim to broaden the public's horizon and to present information in the different dimension from the different angle. Nevertheless, they take great part, directly and indirectly, in promoting understanding of the diversity in our community.

Even though presenting facts as they are is media's obligation but it also helps in building true understanding in the GLBT community. Hence, it will create a strong bond between everyone in the society.

Thailand Queer Network recognizes good works from unbiased media by rewarding them with the "Rainbow Media Awards" to praise for their dedication and efforts. Their works will set the example on the humanity and equality.

Judging criteria

Individual

• Have good understanding of the GLBT community
• Have clear message on GLBT and present it through an activity or series of activities or pass on information that help create better understanding of the GLBT

Media

• Present straightforward and unbiased information of GLBT with respect of humanity and equality
• Present the lifestyle of GLBT community in realistic angle without prejudice
• Presenting good images of GLBT community or information that will create a better understanding to the GLBT community

Judges

Media pieces distributed in 2005 are collated by Bangkok Rainbow Organization and will be judged by:

• Bangkok Pride Coalition
• SWING (Service Workers In Group)
• Bangkok Rainbow Organization
• Long Yang Club Thailand

Winners

Category: Individual

• Dr.Sukamol Vipaveepolkul, Psychiatrist from Phyathai Hospital 2 and the host of "Choo Rak Choo Ros" program. He is a guest speaker in various seminars to promote understanding of the GLBT community. He also writes books that are informative and portray same-sex relationship in true light.

Category: TV Program

• "Khon Khon Khon": "Khon Tarng Likit" episode from TV Burapa Co.,Ltd., produced for Channel 9. Documentary on gay lives featuring a life of gay laborer and gay showgirl
• "Luerd Sarm See" (3 shades of blood) by TV Scene Co.,Ltd. featuring a family with guy son

Category: Newspaper

• Khao Sod - feature article of the eyeglass commercial with a gay guy got hit by a straight guy and inspiring a boycott until the commercial producer issued apology letter and replace the commercial with the new one; feature article of "Miss Queen 2" VCD with inappropriate scene from the trailer
• Thai Post's Xcite - featuring news that drive the change of mind set in military world that gay is not 'mentally ill'

Category: Magazine

• Positioning - special issue on purchasing behavior of MSM community
• GM - special issue featuring in-depth information of MSM community

Category: Movie

• Rainbow Boys : The Movie by Cyber Fish Medias Co.,Ltd., a small budget film about gay lives, family, coming out and coming of age based on the best-selling novel from Alex Zanchez

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For further information, please contact:
Tom Van Blarcom/Thanitsak Pithaksinakon
Official Public Relations Consulting for Pride Festival

TQPR (Thailand)
Tel: 66(0)-2260-5820, 66(0)-9156-4728
Fax: 660-2260-5848
Email: tqprthai@tqpr.com
Or
Richard St-Laurent
Spokesperson (English)

Pride Festival Organization
Tel: 66(0)-1907-5560
Email: richard@pridefestival.org