German Embassy set to host APCOM HERO Awards 2023 Save the date 24 November 2023

September 11, 2023 / News

German Embassy set to host APCOM HERO Awards 2023

Save the date 24 November 2023

Bangkok, 11 September 2023 – Standing for HIV, Equality and Rights, the HERO Awards is an annual event which acknowledges outstanding service to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities, and the HIV response in Asia and the Pacific region.

This year’s HERO Awards 2023, to be held on the evening of Friday 24 November at The Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok. The 7th edition will be officially hosted by the Embassy of Germany to Thailand.

Germany is holding key roles globally, it is the Co-Chair of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) together with Mexico for 2022-2024, the ERC is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTIQI people around the world, Germany is also the Chair of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) this year, and the next international AIDS conference will be hosted in Munich in 2024.

“We are very glad to contribute to this year’s HERO Awards ceremony. It takes a lot of courage, perseverance and resolve to fight for LGBTQI and HIV response causes. Awardees deserve our deep respect, great admiration and broad support.”

Hans-Ulrich Südbeck, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Germany, Thailand

UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific, a long term supporter of APCOM, highlighted the importance of the community-led responses for HIV, as the theme for World AIDS Day 2024 is “Let Communities Lead”.

“The HERO Awards celebrate the leadership we need to get on the path to ending AIDS. Communities should have a leading role in the AIDS response, and the HERO Awards amply demonstrate the wealth of talent, energy and innovation available.”

Scott McQuade, Officer in Charge, UNAIDS Asia Pacific

“The HERO Awards can only come together with passionate support from sectors that truly want our world to be a more equal and inclusive society for all. We thank the German Embassy for being our host this year, our community partners, and our Principal Sponsor, the Open Society Foundations. Our team looks forward to once again providing a platform to shine a light on individuals, organizations, and allies who have dedicated their lives despite challenges and overcoming obstacles for the betterment of their communities.”

Midnight, Executive Director, APCOM

The event is also a fundraiser for the Bangkok-based APCOM Foundation, a leading non-profit which works to fight HIV and advance LGBTQI health, rights and wellbeing across the Asia Pacific region. The Awards are being supported by a range of corporate sponsors, community organisations and diplomatic missions.

The community is at the heart of the HERO Awards, and three community organisations, APN+, APTN and ILGA Asia have been key partners to select the honorees and Award recipients.

“APTN recognizes the HERO Award as a way to inspire others, expanding activism and movement. Regarding our partnership – we ensure that trans activists are recognized, and trans demands and voices are heard. We also hope that this space continues to be a platform to learn, connect, and move forward together for trans equality.”

Nhunn Yodmuang, Senior Human Rights and Advocacy Manager, APTN

Under the concept of “Forward Together”, HERO Awards 2023 will represent that to change the society, LGBTQI and HIV community cannot work alone, therefore, we still need support from multi-stakeholders, covering the government, private sector, academy, and even individuals to join a hand now and move “Forward Together” for equity, dignity, and social justice for all.

“Warner Music Thailand is proud and excited to return as a sponsor for the Hero Awards 2023. The work that APCOM does, and the work of the heroes recognized annually in the HERO Awards, is important, necessary, and inspiring. At a fundamental level, it mirrors a core driving mission of Warner Music, namely embracing and empowering originality in all its beautiful and diverse forms. Through this, and by supporting the work of APCOM and initiatives like the HERO Awards 2023, we can use our creativity to not only entertain, but also to energize and promote positive change in society. We are honored to support everyone involved with the Hero Awards 2023 and to move forward together to create a world that’s more vibrant, enriching, inspiring and equitable for all.”

Karl Kongkham, Managing Director, Warner Music Thailand, a Major Sponsor of HERO Awards 2023

The event also promises a wonderful evening of inspiration and celebration in Bangkok for an inspirational awards ceremony and fabulously fun cocktail reception with delicious canapes accompanied by fine wines and premium beer. There will be great live entertainment from performers as well as an exciting fundraising activity and fashion show.

The nominations for HERO Awards have been closed, and the honouree list will be announced in due course. Do save the date!

Stay tuned for the ticket sales at

https://www.apcom.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/apcom.org

For further information, please visit https://www.apcom.org/hero-awards/

About APCOM’s HERO Awards:

Click here

You can also move “Forward Together”!

APCOM’s survey report of LGBTQI situation in Thailand and in the region during COVID-19 pandemic found that mental health issues mainly in anxiety, depression and helplessness and hopelessness due to joblessness and/or loss of income, particularly for trans people and people living with HIV. Some respondents reported cases of discrimination and violence due to their sexual orientation and gender identity, and/or living with HIV.

You can also be a hero and move “Forward Together” by supporting APCOM emergency fund and sponsoring the event to ensure that those most marginalized and affected by the pandemic can rebuild their livelihoods.

Interested in sponsoring this event? See our sponsorship package

Click here

Let’s move “Forward Together”

And join the HERO team on 24 November 2023

#HEROAwards2023 #ForwardTogether

please contact for further information: apcom@apcom.org or 02-3991145

Thailand PRIDE Festival is coming back on 24-26 November 2023

As the hype of LGBTQI movement in Thailand is becoming more popular and visible, the coalition of LGBTQI groups, a network of individuals and community-based organizations working to improve the human rights of LGBTQI community for decades, are hosting the 2nd Thailand PRIDE Festival 2023 during 24-26 November 2023 in Bangkok.

Under the concept “My PRIDE Everyday”, the festival wants to raise awareness that diversity and inclusion are beautiful, and that we strive for equality and rights every single day, not only in the international Pride month in June.

“Thailand PRIDE Festival 2023 is about celebrating diversity every day, advocating for equality and rights beyond pride month.Your support shines upon those tirelessly advocating for our communities in Thailand and in the region.”

Naphat Krutthai, SOGIESC Inclusion and Corporate Engagement Officer, APCOM, member of the Thailand LGBTQI coalition

Furthermore, the festival will expand into diversity and inclusion beyond LGBTQI target groups, including other vulnerable and marginalized populations, according to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 of “leaving no one behind”. Leaving no one behind means social inclusion, which leads to ensuring their visibility and participation. To achieve this, various stakeholders and sectors working on intersectionality issues covering LGBTQI rights, sex work, and HIV will join a hand and make this Thailand PRIDE Festival possible as “My PRIDE Eveyday”.

“Thailand PRIDE Festival will help raise awareness and ensure that it is a safe space with the ability to represent ourselves. Thailand is perceived as a paradise for LGBTQI+ individuals, but there are no equal rights. This event will emphasize identities and lead to policy advocacy.

Noppanai (Caesar) Rittiwong, Deputy Director of Communications and Resource Mobilization, RSAT, member of the Thailand LGBTQI coalition

“Sex workers still do not have full pride yet. They still face stigmatization at different levels. The Thailand PRIDE Festival will give sex workers pride and visibility because laws still criminalize them, and they do not receive respect. The event will be one of the spaces for sex workers to represent their identities and fully say ‘sex work is work.”

Chamrong Phaengnongyang, Deputy Executive Director, SWING, member of the Thailand LGBTQI coalition

“Local people will not really know what PRIDE is. Therefore, Pink Monkey tried to integrate PRIDE with existing traditions to advocate for the HIV prevention campaign. We used to organize a PRIDE parade on Loy Krathong’s day making banners campaigning for marriage equality, HIV discrimination, and then we distributed condoms there.”

Choovit Thongbai, Executive Director, Pink Monkey, member of the Thailand LGBTQI coalition

The Thailand PRIDE Festival 2023 takes place over 3 days with various fun activities including LGBTQI movie screening, fun run, marketplace, mini concert, and panel discussions and workshops. The highlight is the charity fun run or “My PRIDE Every Run” – a mini marathon which anyone can join and wear whatever they like to show their PRIDE. Come in a dress, suit, sportswear, evening gown, or just shorts or jeans whatever they prefer to be themselves in order to walk or run to reach the finish line, and bring your friends and family. The importance of this activity is not just about sport, it is also about engaging the public to raise awareness for LGBTQI community in Thailand.

To highlight a few of each day’s activities.

24 November 2023: HERO Awards 2023 and After Party at The Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok
25 November 2023: “My PRIDE Everyday Movie” at Doc Club & Pub, Bangkok
26 November 2023: “My PRIDE Everyday Run” at TBC, Bangkok

“On behalf of APCOM Foundation, I thank you all the various stakeholders who are supporting the upcoming HERO Awards and Thailand PRIDE Festival. These two events represent the diversity of LGBTQI+ individuals and the coming together of communities to work together with different sectors where we can all be proud of ourselves, our contribution and move forward on our collective aspiration for equity, dignity, and social justice for all.”

Somchai Promsombat, Vice-Chair APCOM Foundation

Stay tuned for the ticket sales at

https://www.apcom.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/thailandpridefestival

For further information, please visit https://www.apcom.org/hero-awards/

More information about Thailand Pride Festival: