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Venerable Shine Waradhammo, a Buddhist monk, if fiercely speaking out in support of LGBT people in Thailand. Though the country "decriminalized" same sex orientation, LGBT people still face discrimination and even hostility at all levels of Thai society.
“Treating LGBT people badly goes against the Buddha’s teachings,” emphasized Ven. Waradhammo, who was ordained at the age of 21. “LGBT people are also humans, they are also Buddhists, and as a monk I support and accept all Buddhist people, and aim to reduce their suffering.”
“The Buddha never said anything against LGBT people, so it is a very wrong interpretation of the scriptures that leads to bias and rejection of LGBT people,” he added. “Monks generally avoid talking about LGBT and gender issues, but we should be talking about issues that affect society, and religious teachings have to reflect the present times—otherwise religion becomes a dinosaur.”
“Treating LGBT people badly goes against the Buddha’s teachings,” emphasized Ven. Waradhammo, who was ordained at the age of 21. “LGBT people are also humans, they are also Buddhists, and as a monk I support and accept all Buddhist people, and aim to reduce their suffering.”
“The Buddha never said anything against LGBT people, so it is a very wrong interpretation of the scriptures that leads to bias and rejection of LGBT people,” he added. “Monks generally avoid talking about LGBT and gender issues, but we should be talking about issues that affect society, and religious teachings have to reflect the present times—otherwise religion becomes a dinosaur.”
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