This article is the essence of lecture which the author gave at the academic conference of the Japan Association of International Liberal Arts on 13th March 2021. In the Twenty-First Century we can recognize only twenty-eight countries which held monarchy among almost two hundred countries in the world. Does it mean the monarchy would disappear from human history in the near future? The author investigates special role of the British Queen, Elizabeth II, who has reigned since 1952 in contemporary political and diplomatic world. She is the Head of State, not only for British people, but also for fifteen more countries as Canada and Australia; moreover, as the symbol of national unity, she has given her state continuity and stability. We also would be able to know her important role as the Head of Commonwealth of Nations which has challenged to protect human rights and prevent Global Warming since 1970s.

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This paper examines the difference of characteristics between “LGBTQ Drama” and BL Drama in Thailand. Although both are depicting sexual minorities in Thai society, different aspects can be seen. Firstly, we analyze how Katoy (third sex or lady boy) has been depicted in Thai dramas. Katoy had long been depicted like, so to speak, a clown act in comedy, and rarely played an important role, i.e. just no more than a bizarre flavor to the story. After the year of 2000, however, a new trend appeared. Some producers and directors began to make an attempt of shooting films that face social problems of sexual minorities in Thai society. So-called Thai “LGBTQ Drama” has the aspect of challenging the serious issues of society concerned with sexual minorities. Such film makers have the aim of making society to change, fostering viewers to attain better understandings for sexual minorities in real society, while it is often not the case of Thai BL Drama.

As for the BL dramas in Thailand on the other hand, such as famous 2gether for example, viewers enjoy the sweetness of two male protagonists, and also enjoy ways of conversation and action of the favorite actors both inside and outside the drama. Viewers are usually more interested in the charms of their favorite actors than in the drama story itself. However, some of BL dramas are now starting to feature some aspects of the “LGBTQ Drama” previously mentioned, and the BL Drama in Thailand seems to be developing a wider range of looks. In any case, it is notable that the drama depicting sexual minorities in Thailand has ‘evolved’ now into BL drama, which is currently attaining worldwide attention as distinguished new cultural contents.

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