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Thai, Lao and Cambodian San Diegans make history with LGBTQ+ celebration

Drag queen "Hen Thai," a pun on explicit Japanese manga, performs at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Drag queen "Hen Thai," a pun on explicit Japanese manga, performs at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Diversionary Theatre in University Heights was packed Sunday with all the signs of a Thai, Lao and Cambodian, or TLC, New Year: colorful sarongs, the pageant princess, crispy rice salad and shots of Hennessy.

Celebrants toast to the New Year with DJ "Bad Hunny" at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Celebrants toast to the New Year with DJ "Bad Hunny" at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

The DJ, “Bad Hunny,” calls herself “Qhmer” – Queer and Khmer.

Dancer Kaitlyn Phantaly performs at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Katie Hyson / KPBS
/
KPBS
Dancer Kaitlyn Phantaly performs at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Opening for the more traditional dance performances, like Ouay Phon Pi Mai and Jun Por, was a Thai drag queen.

“I just had a really difficult time growing up with (my father). Y’all know the first sons. I’m his first and only son and I ended up — this gorgeous,” she quipped to cheers.

Dina Johnson prepares for the event at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Dina Johnson prepares for the event at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Organizer Dina Johnson has been envisioning this safe space for years.

“This is actually, like, my dream,” she said. “Being a lesbian in this community, especially being Laotian, we don't get to be open.”

The Thai, Lao and Cambodian New Year celebrations started Saturday and run through April 16.

Dancer Nicole Phakdy performs at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Dancer Nicole Phakdy performs at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

She and co-organizer Margaret Marshall said it was the first LGBTQ+ TLC New Year celebration they know of in the country.

“We were nervous, you know?” Marshall said. “Because we didn't know how this was going to be perceived in our community. But folks were like, ‘Yeah, we need this.’”

Event organizer Margaret Marshall chats with arriving attendees and the pageant princess at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Event organizer Margaret Marshall chats with arriving attendees and the pageant princess at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Even after tickets sold out, she said, more LGBTQ+ TLC people kept reaching out from as far north as Long Beach asking to come.

To her, it was a sign of how needed the space was.

Dancer Narfy Chim performs at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Dancer Narfy Chim performs at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

“Being gay, being lesbian, I never heard that in my family. I have family who is gay, and I don't think we really recognized and gave that person space,” she said.

Attendees laugh over catered food from Mekong Restaurant at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Attendees laugh over catered food from Mekong Restaurant at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Marshall and Johnson see the celebration as an opportunity to reshape traditions they grew up with to be more inclusive.

“This is huge because it's easier for people just to come as they are and just celebrate the New Year without being judged,” Johnson said. “Because sometimes when you're in your own culture, you can't be yourself.”

Attendees sport "Happy TLC New Year" sunglasses at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Attendees sport "Happy TLC New Year" sunglasses at Diversionary Theatre on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

She hopes this event will help change that for the younger generation.

They plan to make the event bigger next year.

Thai, Lao and Cambodian San Diegans make history with LGBTQ+ celebration

Katie Hyson reports on racial justice and social equity for KPBS. She moved here from Gainesville, Florida, where she reported on the same beat. Prior to journalism, she advised immigrants, administered an organic farm, and offered nonprofit assistance to sex workers. She loves sunshine, adrenaline and a great story.