In the age of IndieGogo and Kickstarter consumers are afforded the opportunity to invest in the type of entertainment they’d like to see. There are nine days left to help fund the thoughtful documentary Visible Silence: Thai Tomboys and the Women Who Love Them.

The filmmakers have raised $5,233 of their $8,500 goal to tell the story of Thai Tomboys, whom they describe as “gender outlaws living in a traditional society that prizes femininity, yet devalues women.”

Here’s a little more on the project from the film’s fundraising page:

Visible Silence is a documentary film that explores the continuum of masculinity and femininity through identity and gender presentation. The film centers around a community of women striving for visibility, authenticity, and acceptance in a Buddhist society. It is the story of self and family, love and sexuality, and uniqueness where conformity is required.

The film was conceived and is being realized by a San Francisco Bay Area butch-femme couple and a Thai tomboy (or tom) from Bangkok.  The filmmakers -- creative partners as well as close friends--have been engaged in this dialogue for over a dozen years. 

Lead character Dr. Karun wrote her Ph.D dissertation for the University of San Francisco ontom/dee life (roughly equivalent to lesbian butch/femme) in Thailand.  A Thai tom herself, she understands the issues intimately. Returning home, unable to work in academia because of her refusal to wear a dress and hide her true identity, she takes a job teaching English at a Thai silk factory.  The unexpected result: love with the beautiful owner, character Khun Dta.  Khun Dta, a divorced mother of three grown children, had never been in love with a woman before.  Years prior, she left an abusive marriage and started a successful company, in itself quite unconventional.

To contribute to Visible Silence: Thai Tomboys and the Women Who Love Them visit the fundraising page. 

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