news

The Bangkok Pride Coalition held their AGM on January 13. The meeting included a review of 2003 activities by the outgoing executive committee, the election of the 2004 executive committee and the announcement of the official dates for Bangkok Pride 2004. The date for the first planning meeting for 2004 was also set.

The meeting was held in the upstairs lounge at Balcony in Silom Soi 4. The meeting was open to members of BPC and others interested in participating in BPC activities, and a number of new faces were at the meeting and will hopefully become involved this year.

Outgoing Treasurer Khun Lukas presented the final accounts and profit and loss statement for 2003 activities. The accounts had been audited by two local businessmen, and a summary of the accounts should be available on the BPC website soon. Full details are also available on request.

Outgoing Co-chairs Khun Paul and Khun Heng presented their review of Bangkok Pride 2003 and gave some recommendations for the incoming executive to consider for 2004. The review, recommendations and subsequent discussion covered many of the issues that affected the success of pride week last year and provide a good starting point for the new executive to work from.

It was announced that 327,000 Baht in cash and merchandise was to be distributed to the selected charities, with the main recipient being Alden House, a local HIV/AIDS charity, and funds also going to support local gay and lesbian organisations including Bangkok Rainbow and Rainbow Sky. Also, as was done in 2003, 100,000 Baht was carried forward to start next year's operations.

Nominations were called for executive committee positions for 2004. As only one nomination was received (and accepted by the nominee) for each position no vote was called, and Khun Heng (2003 Co-chair) and Khun Lee (Telephone Pub) were elected as Co-Chairs for 2004. Khun Lukas was re-elected as Treasurer for 2004 and Khun Jaab (2003 board member) was elected Secretary for 2004. Khun Paul (2003 Co-chair) and Khun John (Utopia) declined nominations for co-chair but offered themselves for other board or committee positions. Other 2003 members, local venue owners and new members also volunteered to help in committee or other positions.

The first meeting for Bangkok Pride 2004 will be held on Saturday 31 Jan at 2:00 PM at Telephone Pub in Silom Soi 4. At the meeting the rest of the 2004 board positions will be filled and the various working committees formed. The meeting is open to anyone who is interested in helping with planning and organisation this year - please come along, Bangkok Pride Coalition needs your help to make 2004 a great pride year!

The first fundraising event for 2004 will be a buffet dinner at Telephone Pub on January 19 with 80% of proceeds to be donated to Bangkok Pride 2004.

The official dates for Bangkok Pride 2004 were set as 13-21 November, with the parade set for 21 November - mark your calendars now!