Matcha Phorn-in
Matcha Phorn-in (Thai: มัจฉา พรอินทร์; born 1979/1980)[1] is a Thai feminist and activist for indigenous and LGBT rights.
Early life[edit]
Phorn-in grew up in Isan, as a member of an ethnic minority,[2] and was raised by a poor single mother.[3][4] These factors led her to be bullied in school.[3] Starting at age 9, she began to work on the weekends to support herself and her mother.[3]
Phorn-in was able to attend university after receiving a scholarship.[3] After graduating, she participated in a one-year grauate program at Thammasat University.[3]
Activism[edit]
Phorn-in is the executive director of Sangsan Anakot Yaowachon, an organization which supports youth from marginalized communities, primarily in the villages on Thailand's border with Myanmar.[2][5] She founded the organization in 2007.[5] In the organization's first decade, it was able to provide scholarship to 1,000 children, but the program was discontinued in the late 2010s due to lack of financial support.[5]
Phorn-in is a board member of International Family Equality Day (IFED),[6] and a former board member of ILGA Asia.[3] She is a regional council member of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD).[3]
Phorn-in has also spoken in favor of legal abortion up to 20 weeks, compared to Thailand's stricter legal standard of 12 weeks.[7][8]
In 2020 and 2021, Phorn-in criticized the Thai government for not providing financial aid to ethnic minorities, who consequently were more harshly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]
Recognition[edit]
In 2023, Phorn-in was named to the BBC's 100 Women list.[10]
Personal life[edit]
Phorn-in is a lesbian.[2] Her partner also works at Sangsan Anakot Yaowachon.[5] Phorn-in also has an adopted daughter, her biological niece, who was born in the early 2000s to Phorn-in's younger brother.[5][11][12] After he and his wife separated, their daughter was raised by her grandmother, until Phorn-in took her in at age 9.[12] However, Phorn-in was not able to legally adopt her daughter until she became a legal adult, as her extended family objected to Phorn-in having a woman as a partner.[11][13]
Phorn-in and her family live in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai.[4][12] In 2016, a neighbor set fires near their home several times, which Phorn-in believed were driven by homophobia; despite reports made to the police, no action was taken.[12]
References[edit]
- ^ "Together: Resisting, supporting, healing!-Voices of eight LGBTIQ+ activists". United Nations in Thailand. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ a b c "Take Five: "If you are invisible in everyday life, your needs will not be thought of, let alone addressed, in a crisis situation"". UN Women – Asia-Pacific. 2018-07-24. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Engage, Empower, and Create Opportunities: Interview with Real Life Hero Matcha Phorn-In". 42 Degrees. 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ a b Chia, Jamine; Maneechote, Pear (November 22, 2021). "Gender-rights activists remake Thai feminism". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ a b c d e Budiarto, Milla (2022-03-08). "On Campus: The courage to lead". The Phuket News. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Matcha Phorn-in, IFED Board Member". International Family Equality Day. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ Boonreak, Kunnawut; Phaicharoen, Nontarat (2020-11-19). "Thai Women's Rights Activists: Move to Legalize Abortion Doesn't Go Far Enough". Benar News. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ "Thailand legalizes early-term abortions but keeps other restrictions". Deccan Herald. 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ Chandran, Rina (2021-03-10). "'Not fair': Backlash against Thai tourism businesses seeking early vaccines". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ "BBC 100 Women 2023: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. November 21, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ a b Rungchavalnont, Pattamon (2023-07-31). "Beyond an Ice Cream Café: An Open Space for Thai Society to Celebrate and Co-create Family Diversity Policy". UNDP. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ a b c d Boonlert, Thana (2023-06-26). "Accepting all forms of family". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ Lawattanatrakul, Anna (2021-12-15). "Next steps on Thailand's road to marriage equality". Asia Democracy Chronicles. Retrieved 2023-11-22.