Criminal Code LGBT rights in Myanmar

1 criminal code

1.1 marriage , family
1.2 society & culture
1.3 current status

criminal code

section 377 of penal code prohibits same sex sexual activity , sodomy. along fines, punishment ten years life, though no known enforcement has been done in recent years. in 2001, exile group called burma students democratic front voted have law repealed. seen victory committee lesbigay rights in burma, although such change not occur given current political climate.

the following sections of penal code can used against lgbt people in burma:

sections 269 & 270 make crime person negligently spread sexually transmitted disease.
section 290 makes crime commit public nuisance , not specified in code, fines 2 hundred rupees.
sections 292 – 294 make crime make, sell, or distribute obscene material or songs adults or minors , engage in obscene acts in public.
section 372 prohibits buying or selling prostitute under age of eighteen or using prostitute engage in illicit sexual relations.
section 377- whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse man, woman or animal shall punished imprisonment life or imprisonment term shall not less 2 years, may extend 10 years , shall liable fine shall not less 4 hundred rupees may extend 1 thousand rupees.
section 469 prohibits engaging in marriage ceremony absent of legal marriage.
section 5(j) of emergency provisions act prohibits might affect morality of individual, society or public in negative way.

marriage , family

burma not recognise same-sex marriage or civil union performed in nation, nor permit such legal recognition internally.

society & culture

during military regime, no organised lgbt political or social life able exist. burma s social mores human sexuality have been described being extremely conservative. .

aung myo min openly gay man , has been involved in burma students democratic front (absdf). in 2005 talked coming out process , homophobia exists, pro-democracy opposition. today involved exile burma human rights organisations, including campaign lesbigay rights in burma.

in 2003, focusasia (star tv) aired story nat kadaws. utopia guide cambodia, laos, myanmar & vietnam references transgender shaman channeling spirits @ myanmar sacred festivals. yet, within burma itself, no formal gay bars or lgbt-rights organisations exist. there unconfirmed reports nightclubs in cities reputation both heterosexual , lgbt clientele.

current status

despite illegal nature of it, homosexuality , gender expression has become more visible in burma, after political reforms. gay , lesbian couples freely cohabit in major cities yangon , mandalay, though not legally allowed marry. increased media freedom has allowed journalists report on gay , lesbian community. same-sex couples have been able celebrate ceremonial marriages in major cities without legal persecution.

burma celebrated first gay pride in several cities around country in 2012, mark international day against homophobia, biphobia , transphobia. in 2016, gemini released , became first lgbt film in cinema of myanmar. film openly railed against burmese homosexuality laws.