Beyond The Fine Line

Chapter XLIV - Riot 101

The sun was already high, casting a warm, golden glow through the coffee shop's windows. It was a quiet morning, with the rainy season briefly holding back its usual downpour. The decor was simple – mismatched wooden tables, potted plants, and a chalkboard menu. The aroma of coffee hung in the air, creating a charming atmosphere. A few patrons lingered, their murmured conversations blending with the gentle hum of the ceiling fan.

Win was sitting in the corner with iced coffee and a half-eaten sandwich, engrossed in his phone. He used a coffee shop's wifi to update their social media accounts. It recently turned into a full-time job, but Win loved every minute.

He read countless messages from young people thrown out of their homes as their families could not accept who they were. Stories of couples who had spent years together but were denied basic rights because they were strangers in the eyes of the law. Workplace discrimination, lack of legal protection against hate crimes, and societal pressures to conform to heteronormative expectations were the fuel for a movement that was ready to tip the scale.

The protests, small but growing in number, became daily occurrences as people demanded change. It was clear that the LGBTQ community was tired – tired of waiting, tired of being told to be patient while they watched their rights debated like an abstract concept. As a result, the push for same-sex marriage had gained momentum, but the backlash was intense, with traditionalists and conservative groups fiercely opposing it.

At first, Win was surprised at how quickly things escalated, but he realised now that this unrest had always been simmering, just waiting for someone to light the fuse... still, he never expected the explosion and consequences that the single message which popped up on his screen would cause.

Chalita Anuman

Hi, I'm the president of the LGBTQ support group at Chulalongkorn University, and I would like to extend an invitation for cooperation. We are planning an awareness meetup near the university campus and were wondering if you could mention it here? Your account is very popular, and we hope you can help us get more attention.

Win recognised the name from the roster and results rankings. She was a trans woman majoring in finance, known for her activism and helping students who were bullied for their identity. She seemed like a good person, but Win had learned not to jump headfirst into things so quickly anymore.

Love-All-Love

Hi, thank you for reaching out.

Can you give me more details about it? What are your goals?

Chalita Anuman

Of course!

The goal is to raise awareness about the challenges the LGBTQ community continues to face, especially regarding legal recognition and social acceptance. We want to highlight the need for equal rights, including the fight for same-sex marriage, protection from workplace discrimination, and more comprehensive legal safeguards against hate crimes.

In a nutshell, it is about basic human rights and social injustice.

We want to keep it professional but also give people a platform to express themselves.

Love-All-Love

Sounds good.

I assume you sorted out everything with the university?

Chalita Anuman

Yes, we have a permit from the administration.

Love-All-Love