On International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2018, The TEA (Togetherness for Equality and Action) Group displayed their Out Of The Box Art Project in the outdoor area of the Museum of Siam in Bangkok, Thailand. This Art Project is a program which creates a safe space for children and LGBT youth to understand gender equality and diversity. The project information is sent to every school in Thailand. The TEA Group hopes that everyone in school will help each other to create this project and have a safe space to feel accepted and learn about diversity.
During this outdoor exhibit, the artwork of participating youth expressed Gender Equality or expression of their identity as members of the LGBT community. Art is a powerful medium to send messages to the world. Having the LGBT youth tell their stories through art is empowering and raises awareness. The TEA group encouraged visitors to write the feeling that the artwork created for them on a sticky note and put it on the frame.
Akekawat from the TEA group says, “Art is out of the box, beyond imagination. There’s no right and no wrong. Every child should feel safe to express themselves.” Raising diversity awareness with children at a young age will make it easier for children to accept themselves and others in their chosen identity. I think that identity is also out of the box; there is no right or wrong. One should feel free to be themselves.
