LGBT rights in Burma
Encyclopedia
Homosexuality
is illegal in Burma. The authoritarian nature of the government makes it difficult to obtain accurate information about the legal or social status of LGBT
Burmese citizens.
. Along with fines, the punishment is ten years to life. In 2001, the exile group called 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voted to have the law repealed.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 is not likely to occur given the current political climate.
The following sections of the penal code can also be used against LGBT people in Burma:
In 2005, a study conducted on the nation's Internet filtering polices showed that the government had blocked access to Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
or civil union
performed in another nation, nor does it permit such legal recognition internally.
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. Today he is involved with exile Burma human rights organizations, including the Campaign for Lesbigay Rights in Burma.
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." Yet,
within Burma itself, no formal gay bars or LGBT-rights organizations exist. There are only some unconfirmed reports that certain
nightclubs in the cities that are a reputation for both heterosexual and LGBT
clientele.
Some gay American journalists have traveled to Burma and made attempts to interview local people about their beliefs about homosexuality, with limited results. The Burmese government seemed to discourage people talking with foreign journalists, especially about politics.
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
is illegal in Burma. The authoritarian nature of the government makes it difficult to obtain accurate information about the legal or social status of LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
Burmese citizens.
Criminal Code
Section 377 of the penal code prohibits homosexualityHomosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
. Along with fines, the punishment is ten years to life. In 2001, the exile group called the All Burma Students' Democratic Front
All Burma Students' Democratic Front
The All Burma Students' Democratic Front is a resistance group against the military regime in Myanmar, the former Burma. It was created after unrest in the year 1988, in November 1988 in Yangon. It is a group of Burmese students living in the exile...
voted to have the law repealed. This was seen as a victory by the Committee for Lesbigay Rights in Burma, although such a change is not likely to occur given the current political climate.
The following sections of the penal code can also be used against LGBT people in Burma:
- Sections 269 & 270 make it a crime for a person to negligently spread a sexually transmitted disease.
- Section 290 makes it a crime to commit "a public nuisance", not specified in the code, with fines up to two hundred rupeeRupeeThe rupee is the common name for the monetary unit of account in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, and formerly in Burma, and Afghanistan. Historically, the first currency called "rupee" was introduced in the 16th century...
s.
- Sections 292 – 294 make it a crime to make, sell, or distribute "obscene" material or songs to adults or minors and to engage in any obscene acts in public.
- Section 372 prohibits buying or selling a prostitute under the age of eighteen or using a prostitute to engage in illicitIllicitIllicit may refer to:* illicit antiquities* illicit drug trade** illicit drug use** Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act* illicit major* illicit minor* illicit work* Illicit Streetwear clothing company* Illicit...
sexual relations.
- Section 469 prohibits engaging in any marriage ceremony absent of a legal marriage.
- Section 5(j) of the Emergency Provisions Act prohibits anything that might affect the morality of an individual, society or the public in a negative way.
In 2005, a study conducted on the nation's Internet filtering polices showed that the government had blocked access to Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
Marriage and Family
Burma does not recognize a same-sex marriageSame-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
or civil union
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
performed in another nation, nor does it permit such legal recognition internally.
Society & Culture
The current political climate is such that no organized LGBT political or social life can exist. Burma's social mores about human sexuality have been described as being "extremely conservative.".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
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
that exists, even with the pro-democracy opposition. Today he is involved with exile Burma human rights organizations, including the Campaign for Lesbigay Rights in Burma.
In 2003, FocusAsia (Star TV) aired a story about the Nat Kadaws. The "Utopia Guide to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam" references "transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
shaman channeling spirits at Myanmar sacred festivals." Yet,
within Burma itself, no formal gay bars or LGBT-rights organizations exist. There are only some unconfirmed reports that certain
nightclubs in the cities that are a reputation for both heterosexual and LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
clientele.
Some gay American journalists have traveled to Burma and made attempts to interview local people about their beliefs about homosexuality, with limited results. The Burmese government seemed to discourage people talking with foreign journalists, especially about politics.