If you are a lesbian who once thought of attending classes in pants instead of skirts but is not allowed, you might want to consider studying in Thailand with the country's new Bangkok University uniform rules.
Thailand's oldest and largest private university created a milestone for Thai transgender students by reportedly publishing new illustrations showing how "ladyboys" and "tomboys" can choose the dress they want to wear - whether school skirts and pants - and still adhere to the official university dress code.
"I am very glad to hear that this university lets the students choose the uniform which fits their desire and their gender," Nok Yollada, President of the Transgender Female Association of Thailand, said in the report.
According to the illustrations BBC has obtained, Thai transgender girls in the new Bangkok University uniform rules were shown side by side wearing two different attires. One is a Thai transgender girl white long-sleeve polo with a blue necktie and a pair of black pants. The image beside showed the same girl wearing a white top and a black skirt.
The university said in a statement that they were "simply trying to maintain the dress code (as) too many transgender students, unwilling to don the clothing that matched their official gender, were wearing whatever they liked."
Stricter student rules
Despite these new Bangkok University uniform rules, the report pointed out the students are still not allowed to change their genders on their national identification cards.
Those who have natural women's bodies are still reportedly obliged to undergo a physical examination for the identification card "before being rejected, sometimes on mental health grounds."
But these rules for Thai transgender students apparently do not reflect the acceptance of the Thai society for the LGBT community.
LGBT rights in Thailand
The report said Poy Treechada, a transgender artist, also praised the new Bangkok University uniform rules for Thai transgender students, saying she thought these students would earn more respect from society if seen respecting the school rules.
However, according to a study published by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), lesbian people in the population still suffer from discrimination and crimes such as rape.
"Lesbian youth are also at risk of correctional rape from their male family members as was documented in a case occurring in February 2012 when a father was arrested for the rape of his 14-year-old daughter," the study said.
Lesbian people in the country are affected by unfair employment financial practices according to USAID.
The study noted how one lesbian couple was denied a bank loan because the bank reportedly did not recognize their relationship, not allowing them from receiving a join loan as well as combining their earnings to strengthen their application.
Thailand's Constitution and some ratified human rights resolution that prohibit discrimination exist, but certain legislations that talk about sexual orientation and identity are still not seen yet, the study added.
