The Sao-Sao-Ed Network marks the first anniversary of a shameful episode in Thailand's history

Tomorrow marks a month to the day since the second Chiang Mai Gay Pride was violently shut down by the Rak Chiang Mai 51 political group. Like victims of a drive-by shooting, LGBT people became accidental casualties in the ongoing political struggle.

What's more outrageous, however, is that although the participants - who included youth groups - were subjected to harassment and outright violence, the police and the government have yet to take any responsibility for the incident. Their inaction and silence can only be taken as tacit approval of the violence against LGBT people.

The verbal insults and threats during the four-hour lock-in are still reverberating throughout Thailand. How is it possible that sexual minorities like us are forbidden on the streets of Chiang Mai when dogs can roam freely? We were even told never to organise another gay pride event for the next 1,500 years!

Thai news media misrepresent this country, calling it a land of liberty for all gender identities and sexual orientations when in reality society has always limited the space for its LGBT members. Homophobia is still rampant - subtly in the public sphere and more overtly in local communities and on the Internet.

But there is a silver lining in the clouds of homophobia. Following the Chiang Mai incident on February 21, dozens of rights and justice organisations have come together to form the Sao-Sao-ed (Saturday 21st) Network with the aim of promoting equality and non-discrimination, and to end violence against LGBT people.

The group will be conducting activities on the 21st of every month, rotating the location to different cities, to commemorate the shameful episode and demand accountability from the government. Tomorrow will see the first in the series in Bangkok (See the So-Ho-T column.)

One thing the government and all political groups can be sure about: In the year 3500, LGBT people will still be part of Thai society, just as they have always been.