LGBT rights in Laos
Encyclopedia
While homosexuality is legal in Laos, it is very difficult to assess the current state of acceptance and violence that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens face, because the government does not allow those whom are not associated with the government to conduct polls on human rights. Numerous claims have suggested that Laos
is one of the most tolerant communist states at the current time, with a growing acceptance of homosexuality. However, numerous reports have claimed that gay men are far likelier to be tolerated in the country than lesbians; an attitude that has been apparent throughout Lao history
. Despite such progress, discrimination still exists.
does not recognize same-sex marriages, nor any other form of same-sex union
. There have been no known debates of such unions being legalized in the near future, though this does not imply that the government or Laotians are opposed to such unions, the topic has simply yet to come up for debate.
.
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
is one of the most tolerant communist states at the current time, with a growing acceptance of homosexuality. However, numerous reports have claimed that gay men are far likelier to be tolerated in the country than lesbians; an attitude that has been apparent throughout Lao history
History of Laos
-Earliest known history and the founding of Lan Xang:The earliest Laos legal document is known as "the laws of Khun Borom" , still preserved in manuscript form.This set of memoriter laws is written in a type of indigenous blank verse, and reflects the state of proto-Lao society as early...
. Despite such progress, discrimination still exists.
Recognition of same-sex unions
LaosLaos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
does not recognize same-sex marriages, nor any other form of same-sex union
Same-sex union
Same-sex unions are legal or religious unions between two persons of the same sex.In legal contexts, their recognition varies based upon the region in which the union is formed. Some regions allow same-sex marriage, civil marriage between two persons of the same sex. Others recognize civil unions...
. There have been no known debates of such unions being legalized in the near future, though this does not imply that the government or Laotians are opposed to such unions, the topic has simply yet to come up for debate.
Laws against discrimination
Currently, there are no laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientationSexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
.
See also
- Human rights in LaosHuman rights in LaosThe situation of human rights in Laos has often been and remains being recognized as a cause for concern.The Constitution that was promulgated in 1991 contains most key safeguards for human rights. For example, in Article 8 it makes it clear that Laos is a multiethnic state and is committed to...
- Politics of LaosPolitics of LaosThe politics of Laos takes place in the framework of a single-party socialist republic. The only legal political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party . The head of state is President Choummaly Sayasone, who also is secretary-general of the LPRP. The head of government is Prime Minister...
- LGBT rights in Asia