Gay community in mawlamyine, myanmar

The US Department of State report noted that the law was rarely enforced, but that LGBT people reported that police relied on the threat of prosecution to extort bribes. an organisation promoting public awareness of LGBT issues through networking, training, events, research, and advocacy.

The law was inherited from the British during the colonial period, in which the English criminal law was imposed upon Myanmar. Photo: Courtesy Than Lwin Time Media A crowd of more than an estimated people gathered at Mg Htet Wai Htoo's funeral March 4 hoisting his coffin draped with a red cloth and the rainbow flag, said Nyan Linn Htet, who attended his funeral.

Regime police reportedly taunted him with slurs and beat his legs with batons until he could not walk. A report in June suggested that the LGBT anti-coup protestors were being targeted for humiliation by security forces, including sexual insults, taunts, and mockery of dress and appearance.

There is some evidence of the law being enforced in recent years, particularly against transgender people who are regularly arrested by police, and the law is often also used to extort bribes from LGBT people. Myanmar retained the provision upon independence and continues to criminalise same-sex sexual activity today.

Bangladesh criminalises same-sex sexual activity between men. Further, reports state that one member of the LGBT community was shot and killed while taking part in the protests. On 18 November , a man and a transgender woman were married in Mawlamyine, drawing "harsh criticism and threats in the local community and from authorities".

Legal protections, safe asylum programs, financial assistance, and mental health services are crucial to safeguarding this vulnerable community. Closeted gay men will meet clandestinely, risking public arrest, shaming and community ostracizing. In July police arrested two transgender women in Mandalay.

a local organisation which runs a sexual orientation and gender identity programme to raise awareness of the rights of LGBT people. Sentences include a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. a broad based human rights organisation working on a number of issues in Myanmar, including LGBT rights.

Myanmar’s LGBTQIA+ community is in a protracted crisis, which the work cannot ignore. The LGBT Legal Situation In Myanmar LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) rights in Myanmar face significant challenges, as the country is still grappling with persecution and discrimination against the LGBT community.

Among them are 15 transwomen, 15 gay men, 3 lesbians, and one transman. A further 40 were in hiding to avoid arrest and torture. A report by ILGA Asia, found that there had been at least 17 arrests in Mandalay and as many as 50 arrests in other regions under section However, reports suggest this case involved an allegation of sexual assault, though others suggest the man was targeted due to his activism.

The US Department of State report noted that political reforms in recent years made it easier for the LGBT community to hold public events and openly participate in society, though discrimination and stigma persisted. A further report in December found that at least 80 LGBT people were arrested as part of the anti-coup protests, most of whom were still detained, with another 17 being killed.

Between February and September , the minister of human rights of the National University Government government in exile reported at least seven LGBT community members died and another 37 were arrested while peacefully protesting against the regime. The spouses of closeted gay men in Myanmar risk unwitting infection.

[2] In March , a same-sex couple, Myo Min Htet and Tin Ko Ko, held a wedding ceremony in Yangon in traditional Burmese clothing after having lived together for 10 years. The funeral for year-old gay student Mg Htet Wai Htoo's in Mawlamyine, Myanmar drew hundreds. Between Feb.

1 and June 20, at least 12 LGBTIQ people from Myitkyina, Myingyan, Monywa, Mawlamyine, Yangon, Kyaukpadaung, and Mandalay. Following the military coup in February , LGBT people have been frequently arrested, detained, assaulted, and even murdered when protesting. Two LGBTIQ groups inside Myanmar report that 35 LGBTIQ people were arrested and jailed in Mandalay, Pakokku, Yangon, Twantay, Sha-la, Sho, Taunggyi, Mawlamyine, Myitkyina, and Myingyan.

A report by ILGA Asia found a range of human rights violations against the LGBT community including familial ostracisation and abuse, discrimination in employment, education, and healthcare, as well as physical and sexual assaults during detention, and extortion.

They range in age from 17 to As crackdowns, violence and torture against pro-democracy activists and civilians has intensified in the past few months, many LGBTIQ people across Myanmar have faced severe human rights violations, with some killed, tortured or detained by the military regime.

Only men are criminalised under this law. LGBT people, gay and transgendered men in particular, are segregated in hospitals from the public and staff because of the public perception that they are all diseased. He had organised a strike, flash protests, and other campaigns in Mandalay prior to his arrest.

[3][4] The marriage was performed in front of friends. At that time it was reported that at least 45 LGBT protestors had been arrested, 35 of whom were still detained, and at least six have been killed during street protests. Human rights organizations and advocacy groups must take immediate action to provide urgent support.

Transgender people were particularly vulnerable to police harassment, and the community faced discrimination in employment and healthcare. A report commissioned by Denmark-Myanmar Programme on Rule of Law and Human Rights documents violence and persecution experienced by LGBT people in Myanmar, recommending the repeal of section of the Penal Code and the repeal or amendment of other laws used to target LGBT people.

Mg Htet Wai Htoo, 23, a gay student at Mawlamyine. Following the February military coup and mass protests that have taken place in response, LGBT individuals and groups that have taken part have been targeted by military crackdowns on protestors. Justin Min Hein was arrested by the junta in September and detained in Yay Kyi Ai Interrogation Center for almost a year awaiting his trial.

There have been some reports of discrimination and violence being committed against LGBT people in recent years, including harassment and discrimination in accessing services.