LGBT rights in Myanmar explained

Location Header:Myanmar
Legal Status:Illegal since 1886 (as Burma)
Penalty:Up to 20 years with fines (not enforced)[1]
Gender Identity Expression:No
Recognition Of Relationships:No recognition of same-sex relationships
Adoption:No
Military:No
Discrimination Protections:None

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Myanmar face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and section 377 of Myanmar's Penal Code 1861, enacted in 1886,[2] subjects same-sex sexual acts (regardless of whether they were consensual or done in private) to a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years in prison.[3] Heterosexual anal intercourse and oral sex are also illegal. Transgender people are subject to police harassment and sexual assault, and their gender identity is not recognised by the state.[4] During the country's long military dictatorship under the authoritarian State Peace and Development Council between 1988 and 2011, it was difficult to obtain accurate information about the legal or social status of LGBT Burmese citizens. Following the 2011–2015 Myanmar political reforms, improvements in media and civil freedoms have allowed LGBT people to gain more visibility and support in the country.[5] [6] [7] Despite the 2015 electoral victory of the National League for Democracy, which promised improved human rights and whose leader Aung San Suu Kyi had once called for the decriminalisation of homosexuality,[8] there have been no changes to anti-LGBT laws. Nevertheless, LGBT activists have noted a growing climate of societal acceptance and tolerance toward LGBT people, in line with worldwide trends.

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

Section 377 of the Penal Code prohibits sodomy, whether heterosexual or homosexual. Alongside fines, the prescribed punishment is up to 20 years, although the law has not been strictly enforced.[9] In 2001, an exile group, the All Burma Students' Democratic Front, voted to have the law repealed. This was seen as a victory by the Committee for Lesbigay Rights in Burma, although such a change was considered unlikely to occur given the prevailing political climate against change.[10] In 2013, then-Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on the country to decriminalise homosexuality, stating that it was hampering efforts to combat HIV in Myanmar. After her party came to power in 2015, it did not change the laws.

LGBT people are also targeted under the "shadow law" or "darkness law" in section 35(c) of the Police Act (Burmese: ၁၉၄၅ ခုနှစ်၊ ရဲအက်ဥပဒေ), which allows police to detain anyone they consider behaving suspiciously after sunset. In November 2018, gay activist Aung Myo Htut, also knows as "Addy Chen" was arrested under the country's sodomy law.[11]

Other provisions of the Penal Code can also be used against LGBT people:[12]

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Myanmar does not recognise same-sex marriages or civil unions.[14] In 2014, a Burmese same-sex couple drew widespread media attention for holding an unofficial wedding ceremony after having lived together for 10 years. It also triggered a backlash from social conservatives, who queried why the anti-homosexuality laws were not being enforced against them.[15]

Gender identity and expression

Myanmar does not allow transgender people to change the gender assigned to them at birth.[16] Transgender people in Myanmar are subject to rape, mistreatment, or extortion by police, and are often targeted using the "shadow law" in section 35(c) of the Police Act. Generally, there are only three "respectable" career options open to transgender Burmese: beautician, fashion designer, or nat kadaw ("spirit wife" or spirit medium).[17] As a nat kadaw, transgender Burmese people can be afforded respect and veneration otherwise denied to them by Burmese society.

Occult is a local term for the transgender community in Myanmar.[18]

Living conditions

Public attitudes

During the military regime, no organised LGBT political or social life was able to exist. Burma's social mores about human sexuality have been described as being "extremely conservative".[19] Gay men are stigmatised, especially if they are living with HIV/AIDS. In the local Buddhist tradition, those born LGBT are perceived as facing punishment for sins committed in a past life.[20] [21] Historically, the combination of official homophobia, limited public awareness, and lack of community role models have rendered LGBT people invisible in Burmese society.[22]

LGBT activism

Aung Myo Min is an openly gay man and has been involved in the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF). In 2005, he talked about his coming out process and the homophobia that exists, even with the pro-democracy opposition.[23] Today, he is involved with exile Burma human rights organisations, including the Campaign for Lesbigay Rights in Burma.

Equality Myanmar (Burmese: ညီမျှခြင်း မြန်မာ) was founded in 2000 "with the goal of empowering the people of Myanmar through human rights education to engage in social transformation and promote a culture of human rights."

In late June 2019, a young gay man, Kyaw Zin Win, working as a librarian at the Myanmar Imperial University in Yangon, died by suicide after continuous harassment and bullying from colleagues. More than 600 people attended his funeral, and a rainbow flag was wrapped around his coffin. The university has launched an investigation into the matter and has suspended three staff members. The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (Burmese: မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ အမျိုးသားလူ့အခွင့်အရေး ကော်မရှင်) has launched a separate investigation and has called for the enactment of anti-discrimination provisions. PinkNews reported that the issue had "prompted a national conversation" on LGBT issues in the country.[24] [25] [26]

Media

Despite their criminalisation, LGBT people have become more visible in Burma, especially after political reforms.[27] Gay and lesbian couples freely cohabit in major cities like Yangon and Mandalay, though they are not legally allowed to marry. The increased media freedom has also allowed journalists to report on the gay and lesbian community.[28] Same-sex couples have also been able to celebrate ceremonial marriages in major cities without any legal persecution.[29]

In 2003, FocusAsia (Star TV) aired a story about the nat kadaws. The "Utopia Guide to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam" references "transgender shaman channeling spirits at Myanmar sacred festivals."[30]

In 2016, The Gemini was released and became the first LGBT film in the cinema of Myanmar. The film openly railed against the Burmese homosexuality laws.[31] [32]

Events

Burma celebrated its first gay pride in several cities around the country in 2012, to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.[33] In 2018, officials gave permission for a public pride party. Almost 6,000 people showed up to the event, a rise from previous times.[34] The number rose further to 10,000 the next day.[35]

LGBT people

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Year End Review on LGBT rights. Myanmar Times. 28 June 2019. 29 December 2018. 16 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190716191538/https://www.mmtimes.com/news/year-end-review-lgbt-rights.html. dead.
  2. Book: Han, Enze. 3 May 2018. British Colonialism and the Criminalization of Homosexuality. Routledge. 9781351256186.
  3. Web site: Penal Code 1861 . Burma Code . AsianLII . 21 June 2019.
  4. News: Nickerson . James . Myanmar's abused, intimidated LGBT people long for acceptance in new era . 9 October 2018 . Reuters UK . 16 November 2016.
  5. News: Gay subject of documentary warns of continuing rights violations in Myanmar . 9 October 2018 . Mizzima . 18 June 2015 . en.
  6. News: McFetridge . Matthew . The Outlook for LGBT Rights in Myanmar . 9 October 2018 . The Diplomat . 5 September 2014.
  7. News: Ferrie . Jared . LGBT festival opens in Myanmar after first public launch party . 9 October 2018 . Yahoo! Finance . Reuters . 1 February 2018.
  8. News: Roberts . Scott . Aung San Suu Kyi: Stigma against HIV and anti-gay laws are costing lives in Burma . 20 June 2019 . PinkNews . PinkNews . 20 November 2013.
  9. News: Myint . Lae Phyu Pyar Myo . Htwe . Nyein Ei Ei . Prejudice and progress: a snapshot of LGBT rights in Myanmar . 9 October 2018 . The Myanmar Times . 1 June 2017 . en . 27 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180827142436/https://www.mmtimes.com/lifestyle/26228-prejudice-and-progress-a-snapshot-of-lgbt-rights-in-myanmar.html . dead .
  10. Web site: Sodomylaws.Org . Sodomylaws.Org . 20 January 2011.
  11. Web site: Gay man with HIV charged under Myanmar sodomy law. The Washington Blade. 2 November 2018.
  12. Web site: Burma Lawyers' Council [Legal Resource] The Myanmar Penal Code |publisher=Blc-burma.org |access-date=20 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117021257/http://www.blc-burma.org/html/Myanmar%20Penal%20Code/mpc.html |archive-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=dead ].
  13. Web site: BLC Publications . Blc-burma.org . 9 March 1950 . 20 January 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110106133419/http://www.blc-burma.org/html/Suppressive%20Law/s5epa_e.html . 6 January 2011 . dead .
  14. News: Hawley . Samantha . Myanmar couple in 'first public gay wedding ceremony' . 9 October 2018 . ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 4 March 2014 . en-AU.
  15. News: Burma's homosexuality law 'undermining HIV and Aids fight' . 9 October 2018 . The Guardian. 21 March 2014 . en.
  16. News: England . Charlotte . Myanmar's transgender people not just chasing rainbows in fight for equality . 9 October 2018 . The Guardian. 2 February 2016 . en.
  17. News: Baker . Nick . How Myanmar's Paranormal Spirit Wives Escape LGBTQ Persecution . 11 October 2018 . Vice . 23 October 2017 . en-us.
  18. Web site: Caesar DeAlwis. Maya Khemlani David. LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY OF MALAY TEENAGE MAK NYAH (TRANSVESTITES) IN KUCHING. repository.um.edu.my. 1 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065923/http://repository.um.edu.my/1009/1/Caesar%20DeAlwis%20%26%20Maya%20-%20LANGUAGE%20AND%20IDENTITY%20OF%20MALAY%20TEENAGE%20MAK%20NYAH%20%20(TRANSVESTITES)%20IN%20KUCHING.pdf . March 4, 2016 . Certain countries have their own local terms for the transsexual community, for example, hijras in India, kathoeys in Thailand, warias in Indonesia and occult in Myanmar (Burma)..
  19. Web site: CURRENTS: HIV/AIDS in Myanmar | global nomads group . Gng.org . 2 July 2005 . 20 January 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060821223009/http://www.gng.org/currents/myanmar/mya_hiv.html . 21 August 2006.
  20. News: It Ain't Great Being Gay in Mandalay . 11 October 2018 . Vice . 30 January 2014 . da.
  21. News: Me . Nyo . Not very gay . 11 October 2018 . The Myanmar Times . mspiral creative agency . 17 May 2018 . en . 8 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190608175820/https://www.mmtimes.com/news/not-very-gay.html . dead .
  22. News: Mosbergen . Dominique . Gay People in Myanmar Can't Live Openly. Here's Why . 9 October 2018 . Huffington Post . 18 October 2015 . en-AU.
  23. Web site: Aung Myo Min: A Burmese gay with a human rights cause . 2007-10-12 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20050305102116/http://www.mizzima.com/archives/news-in-2005/news-in-feb/20-February%2005-25.htm . 5 March 2005 .
  24. Web site: Gay librarian's suicide prompts LGBT rights debate in Myanmar. PinkNews. 27 June 2019.
  25. Web site: Bullied Gay Librarian Posts Heartbreaking Facebook Message Before Dying By Suicide. Newsweek. 26 June 2019.
  26. Web site: လုပ်ငန်းခွင်အတွင်း ခွဲခြားဆက်ဆံမှုကြောင့် ကိုယ့်ကိုယ်ကိုယ် သတ်သေခဲ့သည့် ကိုကျော်ဇင်ဝင်း၏နာရေး ပြုလုပ်ခဲ့ပြီး ဖြစ်စဉ်နှင့်ပတ်သက်၍ ရဲတပ်ဖွဲ့က စုံစမ်းစစ်ဆေးမှုများ ပြုလုပ်မည်. Weekly Eleven. 26 June 2019. my.
  27. News: Gay people in Burma start to challenge culture of repression. The Guardian. London. Esmer. Golluoglu. 13 May 2012.
  28. Web site: Woman raised as a man in Birma. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/sNJkbevpZ4M . 2021-12-21 . live. Youtube.com. 20 April 2013.
  29. Web site: Myanmar Gay Marriage. 13 September 2012. Waiphyomyint.wordpress.com. 16 January 2018.
  30. Web site: A Revealing Glimpse at Gay Life in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam . Prweb.com . 20 January 2011 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205226/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/11/prweb304444.htm . dead .
  31. Web site: Convoluted plot and tech issues undo gay romantic thriller 'The Gemini'. Los Angeles Times. 23 September 2016. 16 January 2018.
  32. Web site: Burmese Director Explores Same-Sex Relationships in New Film. 28 January 2016. Irrawaddy.com. 16 January 2018.
  33. News: A pride with no parade for Burma's first gay festival. BBC . 17 May 2012.
  34. Web site: Myanmar just had its first public pride party and thousands turned up to celebrate. 2018-01-31. 7 February 2018. 30 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730162957/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/thousands-turn-celebrate-myanmars-first-legal-pride-party/#gs.fWX5Hrg. dead.
  35. Web site: LGBT festival opens in Burma after first public launch party- DVB Multimedia Group. 1 February 2018. 12 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180829083254/http://www.dvb.no/news/lgbt-festival-opens-burma-first-public-launch-party/79549. 29 August 2018. dead.
  36. Web site: LGBT beauty queen behind bars after actress files defamation suit. Kyaw Phone. Kyaw. 19 January 2017.
  37. Web site: Abused, arrested but not giving up: transgender activist fights for equality. June 2017. 27 August 2018. 30 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730234741/https://www.mmtimes.com/lifestyle/26230-abused-arrested-not-giving-up-transgender-activist-fights-for-equality.html. dead.
  38. Web site: Myanmar's biggest gay celebrity 'feels free' six months after coming out. Rik. Glauert. 23 January 2019. 2 February 2019. 30 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730004444/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/myanmars-biggest-gay-celebrity-feels-free-six-months-after-coming-out/. dead.
  39. Web site: Miss Universe's First Openly Gay Contestant Came Out Days Ago: 'I Just Started a New Chapter'. People. 6 December 2019. Herbst. Diane.
  40. Web site: LGBT ဆိုတာ လူသားချင်းချင်း ချစ်ကြတာ ဖြစ်တဲ့အတွက် လက်ခံပါတယ်"လို့ ဂေဂေး ပြေ. 5 September 2019.
  41. Web site: Year End Review on LGBT rights. Myanmar Times. 28 June 2019. 29 December 2018. 16 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190716191538/https://www.mmtimes.com/news/year-end-review-lgbt-rights.html. dead.

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