In Thailand, Muslim lesbians tackle stereotypes by playing soccer

Buku FC began four years ago to cater to southern Thailand’s soccer-loving lesbian, bisexual and queer girls and women

It aims to give its members space to play sports and express themselves, in a society where LGBT people still face widespread discrimination

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Members of Buku FC pose for a picture. Photo: Sutharee Wannasiri / Twitter

Thomson Reuters Foundationin Pattani, Thailand

Published: 9:00am, 1 Dec 2020Updated: 11:15am, 7 Dec 2020

Anticha Sangchai did not come out to her family until she was 30 and married with a child. It was her own struggle confronting the conservative community in southern Thailand that led her to create a place where women like her might feel more at home.

In the bookshop she set up in Pattani city, discussions on gender and sexuality led to the birth of Buku Football Club for lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) girls and women four years ago.

Buku means book in Malay – and the club is now thriving. Last month, Buku FC hosted its first LBQ futsal tournament, a hard court game similar to five-a-side soccer.

Among six teams from three southern provinces, many players wore hijab and were cheered on by family in the stands. That would have been unthinkable when she was growing up, Anticha said.

A group photo showing some members of Buku FC. Photo: Buku FC

“Football is very popular in Thailand, yet not many girls play it – especially Muslim girls, who face more hurdles because many consider it a sin,” said Anticha, 43, who was raised Buddhist in the Muslim-majority province.

“Playing football allows them to be free, be themselves, and also helps them face up to the bullying and bias they face,” she said, watching a Buku FC team take on a rival team.