Pride for Diversity and Peace Project | Toward a Model City for Equality
Chiang Mai is moving toward becoming a model area for equality and peaceful coexistence through the Pride for Diversity and Peace Project, driven by The LinQ…
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Chiang Mai is moving toward becoming a model area for equality and peaceful coexistence through the Pride for Diversity and Peace Project, driven by The LinQ Foundation together with government agencies, the private sector, educational institutions, and civil society across the province. At the heart of this partnership is building a society where everyone can live, work, and access opportunities equally, without discrimination based on gender, sexual identity, ethnicity, language, or difference of any kind, while promoting Safe Spaces and respect for human rights in every sector.
What Is the Pride for Diversity Project?
The Pride for Diversity and Peace Project grew out of The LinQ Foundation's commitment to building mechanisms for cooperation among different sectors so they can jointly advance gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights at the local level in concrete ways. This project is not merely about holding a Pride event; it is a policy and practical mechanism that helps agencies across many sectors put the principles of equality into practice within their own organizations, from hiring policies and the work environment to communication and public services.
Why Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is a province rich in cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity, with a strong and long-standing LGBTQ+ community. Starting in San Sai District, Chiang Mai, makes it possible to test and develop a model that can be scaled to other areas of the country in the future.
Who Signed This MOU?
One of the project's strengths is that agencies from many sectors joined at the same time, not only human rights organizations. The MOU signatories include:
- 🏛️ Government — Chiang Mai Province, the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization, and local police stations
- 🎓 Educational institutions — Maejo University and local schools
- 🏙️ Local administrative organizations — several municipalities across Chiang Mai
- 🤝 Civil society — grassroots organizations and LGBTQ+ networks
- 💼 Private sector — businesses and organizations that support DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) policies
Cross-sector cooperation at this level reflects that building equality is not the duty of any single organization but a shared mission for everyone in society.
The Main Goals of the Pride for Diversity and Peace Project
The project sets six main goals.
✅ 1. Promote social equality — build systems and policies that give everyone equal access to opportunity, without division by gender or identity.
✅ 2. Build understanding of gender diversity — develop curricula and activities to promote knowledge about LGBTQ+ issues among staff in agencies across every sector.
✅ 3. Reduce discrimination — establish clear guidelines to prevent and address discrimination within organizations.
✅ 4. Advance human rights — in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Gender Equality Act B.E. 2558 (2015).
✅ 5. Support Safe Spaces — create environments where everyone feels safe, dignified, and respected.
✅ 6. Build sustainable participation — encourage every sector to hold Pride Month and equality activities on an ongoing basis, not just once.
What the Signatory Agencies Will Do
So that the MOU is not just a document on paper, the signatory agencies have committed themselves to tangible actions, including:
| Approach | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗣️ Communication | Use language and communication that respect everyone's identity. |
| 👔 Dress | Allow staff to dress according to their gender identity, within the organization's regulations. |
| 💼 Employment | Promote equal employment opportunities without discrimination. |
| 🏳️🌈 Activities | Support Pride Month events and diversity activities. |
| 📚 Education | Share knowledge about human rights and equality with staff and the public. |
| 🛡️ Safe Space | Create channels for staff and the public to report discrimination. |
How Does This Project Connect to National and International Policy?
The Pride for Diversity and Peace Project does not operate in isolation; it is linked to important policy frameworks at both the national and international levels:
- 🌐 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) — especially Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
- 📜 The Gender Equality Act B.E. 2558 (2015) — a key law intended to protect the rights of gender-diverse people in Thailand
- 🤝 DEI principles (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) — an international standard adopted by leading organizations worldwide
- 🏳️🌈 The Yogyakarta Principles — international principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)
These connections give the project credibility and allow it to communicate with stakeholders at every level.
The Expected Impact of This MOU
When every sector cooperates in earnest, the expected short- and long-term outcomes include:
Short term (1–2 years)
- LGBTQ+-friendly internal policies at the signatory agencies
- A lower rate of reported discrimination in the area
- More diversity activities organized by the public and private sectors
Long term (3–5 years)
- Chiang Mai becomes a model for other provinces in advancing DEI policy
- An LGBTQ+ community that is systematically recognized and supported by the government
- Attracting tourists and investors who value ESG and DEI
Who Is The LinQ Foundation?
The LinQ Foundation is an organization working to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Chiang Mai, focusing on building cooperation among different sectors to bring about sustainable change in policy and organizational culture. The foundation acts as an intermediary and coordinator between LGBTQ+ communities and government and private agencies, so that the advancement of human rights happens in practice rather than as a mere declaration of intent.
Be part of the change
If your organization would like to sign the MOU or become a partner in the Pride for Diversity and Peace Project, you can contact The LinQ Foundation for more information.
🏳️🌈 Because the best society is one that leaves no one behind.
Event Schedule for the "Pride for Diversity and Peace Project"
The Pride for Diversity and Peace Project will be held on July 15–16, 2026, at Mae Jo Town Municipality, Chiang Mai, to open a space for learning, exchanging ideas, and celebrating gender diversity through academic activities and a campaign march (Walk for Diverse and Peace).
July 15, 2026
"Diversity for Peace" training activity
📍 Venue: Mae Jo Town Municipality
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 09.00 – 09.30 | Registration |
| 09.30 – 09.40 | Opening ceremony |
| 09.40 – 10.00 | Overview of the training's approach and expectations |
| 10.00 – 11.00 | Concepts of diversity and peaceful means |
| 11.00 – 12.00 | Gender equality toward a home of peace |
| 12.00 – 13.00 | Lunch break |
| 13.00 – 14.00 | Inner Peace and designing communication for peace |
| 14.00 – 15.00 | Lecture on the Gender Equality Act B.E. 2558 (2015) for youth |
| 15.00 – 16.30 | Panel discussion: "Gender Equality in the Dimensions of Diversity and Peace" |
The event features speakers from The LinQ Foundation and the M Plus Foundation, along with psychologists, lawyers, government representatives, education professionals, and experts from a range of fields, who come together to exchange knowledge and experience on human rights, equality, and building a peaceful society.
July 16, 2026
Walk for Diverse and Peace
The project's highlight activity is the Walk for Diverse and Peace, a campaign march to promote diversity, equality, and peace, giving the public, government agencies, the private sector, educational institutions, and civic networks the chance to demonstrate the power of coexisting with respect for difference.
Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 16.30 – 17.00 | Gathering and lining up the parade |
| 17.00 | The Walk for Diverse and Peace begins |
| 18.30 – 19.00 | Stage performances |
| 19.00 – 19.30 | Report and official opening ceremony |
| 19.30 – 21.00 | Stage activities and the Maejo Pride Ambassador 2026 contest |
The parade includes a peace campaign group, a rainbow flag group, government agency groups, gender-diversity network groups, contestant groups, and representatives from many sectors, all sharing a message about reducing violence, reducing conflict, and promoting gender equality through creative activities along the route.
The Pride for Diversity and Peace Project marks an important step for Chiang Mai and Thailand in building a society that truly respects difference. The cooperation between The LinQ Foundation and its network of partners from every sector will be a key driving force in advancing human rights, reducing discrimination, and creating spaces where everyone can live with dignity and equality. This local beginning is not only symbolic; it may become a national model that proves sustainable change can truly happen when every sector works together.
Verified references
Links and relevance to the article’s main topic were reviewed on 13 August 2026. Each source supports only the scope stated in the original document and does not replace personalised medical, legal, or service advice.
- OHCHR: LGBT rights fact sheet Accessed 13 August 2026
- Library of Congress: About LGBT Pride Month Accessed 13 August 2026
