I saw a really interesting video essay on this topic once. The difference is in the way that gender is percieved in collectivist societies rather than the individualist societies that western societies tend to be.
In an individualist society transgender people are percieved as rebels that are in conflict with their AGAB, while in collectivist societies changing your gender to match your energy is confirming the social construct and supporting the society. still, gender non-confirming people are often seen as a threat and I guess gender plays into that.
This is all from memory though, might not apply to Thailand or is completely wrong
I saw a really interesting video essay on this topic once. The difference is in the way that gender is percieved in collectivist societies rather than the individualist societies that western societies tend to be.
In an individualist society transgender people are percieved as rebels that are in conflict with their AGAB, while in collectivist societies changing your gender to match your energy is confirming the social construct and supporting the society. still, gender non-confirming people are often seen as a threat and I guess gender plays into that.
This is all from memory though, might not apply to Thailand or is completely wrong
This may be the video essay you're talking about.
But yeah, in collectivist societies like in most of Asia, being trans is less controversial than being gay due to conformity.
One interesting tidbit from the video was how Iran's government even recognizes sex reassignment surgery and may even cover the cost.
Mentioned partway through the video as well as this Economist article.
Thanks! That was the one!