Ladyboys and Good Sons: Contemporary Mediums and Gender Identity in Northern Thai Trance Dance.

November 04, 2008 - A colloquium with Michael Sakamoto was held at the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures in Los Angeles, about the presence of gay males in historically female dominated dance ceremonies in northern Thai regions.

The colloquim addresses the phenomenom of young gay males participating in trance dance ceremonies in the lanna Region of Northern Thailand, formerly exclusively performed by women.

Michael Sakamoto, a MFA student in dance/choreography in the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures, performer and lecturer, held an audio-visual presentation that examines the Lanna trance dance rituals of the lanna Region in Northern Thailand. Many young gay males are participating in these dance ceremonies that where traditionally a matriarchal practice.

Michael Sakamoto addresses the socio-cultural-historical factors that influence the recent presence of these Krathoey, or "ladyboys", in traditional dance ceremonies.

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