Progressive only for tourists: homophobia in Southeast Asia – Radar

Things are not going so badly in Southeast Asia. In countries such as Laos and Vietnam, sex with someone of the same sex is not a criminal offence. Thailand, and certainly capital Bangkok, has a vibrant gay scene. There are also several gay bars in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. No dark pubs in small back streets, but very visible cafés with a diverse audience.

Café Blue Chilli has been in existence since 2006 and is located right in the tourist district, close to the Royal Palace and opposite a Buddhist temple. As the monks prepare for the evening prayer, the final touches are laid across the street. The Cambodian actors like to show their androgynous side and play with the clichés of femininity and seduction.

Homophobia

But behind this facade of glitter and apparent tolerance lies a lot of discrimination. Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a Report about Vietnamese youth struggling with their orientation. Witness testimony shows that teachers speak of homosexuality as “a disease that can be cured.”

HRW points a finger at the government. “Acceptance of sexual orientation and gender identity has increased sharply in Vietnam in recent years, but the government has not yet implemented these changes in Slavic,” LGBTQia+ expert Graeme Reid concludes in the HRW report.

Due to discrimination or harassment, many lesbians or transgender people leave school early. And then there are only low-paid jobs for them.

Rachana Chhoeurng, a trans woman from Cambodia

“The United Nations already talked about an anti-discrimination law in 2014,” says Vietnamese gay rights activist Lieu Anh Vu. It refers to the so-called Universal Periodic Review by UPR. It makes recommendations to each UN Member State to improve the human rights situation. “But that has remained dead, even though a very general protection has been demanded – without specific requirements for education or the economy.”

Cambodian trans girl Rachana Chhoeurng recognizes the stories from neighboring Vietnam. “I also encountered resistance at school and in my family.” Parents often don’t see a relationship with someone of the same sex as full-fledged ones. They think it’s a temporary phase in sexual development. Or they are looking for a “healer”.

Some parents are also concerned about their child’s future. Without (straight) marriage, without family. And then no one can take care of you later. In the absence of social and allowance or retirement, older Cambodians fall back on their children.

Male dominance

Preab Thearith, one of the drag queens from the gay bar in Phnom Penh, had a hard time getting out of his parents’ closet. “My father literally told me he would meet me if it turned out I was gay. For him, gay sex workers are prostitutes for wealthy Westerners. It’s very hard to speak this negative image out of his head.”

Anan Bouapha has created the LGBT Proud to be Laos But it wasn’t until three years old that he told his parents that he was standing up for the rights of LGBT people. ‘I didn’t want to disappoint or shock them, they were very homophobic.’

The negative attitude stems from a traditional culture of male dominance. “It states that it is a privilege to be born as a man. If you really want to be a woman or have feminine traits, it means you’re cursed. You did something bad in your previous life, and that’s why you’re abnormal now.”

Transgender people therefore find it very difficult to find a decent job. In the fight against homophobia Proud to be Laos Discrimination in the workplace. Although this is not so much a problem in the capital Vientiane, but especially in the (large) landscape.

Rachana, the trans girl from Cambodia, agrees. “Because of discrimination or harassment, many lesbians or transgender people leave school early. And then all they have left is a low-paid job.”

Recently, the Thai government announced that it wants to open up marriage to same-sex couples… but only for foreigners and not for their own people.

Lieu Anh Vu, Vietnamese activist

Fortunately, I also hear positive stories. A colleague of Drag Queen Thearith introduces himself to me as Andrea: clearly a Western nickname. The trans woman is happy to show me her brand new (real) breasts. Andreas’ family has always supported her and even wanted to pay for the trip to Bangkok: worldwide, the place where for sex operations. And not so far from Phnom Penh.

Thailand is also a good example in neighbouring Laos. Laotists follow the Thai media closely because the two languages are very similar and Bangkok is a symbol of sexual openness.

Pink Dollar

But the appearance is deceptive, Anh Vu knows. The Vietnamese activist heads ILGA Asia (International Lesbian and Gay Association), an LGBT organization based in Bangkok. According to him, Thailand is particularly advanced for tourists. “They like to see the pink dollars (money coming from LGBT people, nvdr).”

“Recently, the Thai government announced that it wanted to open marriage to same-sex couples… but only for foreigners and not for their own people. That is not what we mean, of course. Moreover, if marriage is not recognised in the home country of these tourists, the obligation has no legal value.”

The example seems to confirm the theory that Southeast Asian governments still too often view homosexuality as a western phenomenon. “That’s why we’re trying to appeal to MPs,” Anan said. “Together with the National University of Laos, we have produced a research paper on discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace. The fact that the Faculty of Law supports us increases our credibility with politicians.”

But he is sure it will be a long-term job. According to him, it is still 10 or 20 years to wait for a full-fledged same-sex marriage in Laos. “I studied in Europe,” he says, “so that I know that activists there forced a breakthrough by standing on the barricade. But things are slowing down in Southeast Asia. I don’t want to be brittle, I want to find compromises.”

Lieu Anh Vu hopes that something will change in Vietnam in five years. “Even if same-sex marriage does not happen immediately, the government could still approve a partnership so that same-sex people can officially commit to each other. The media and public opinion are ready.” (Ips)

Things are not going so badly in Southeast Asia. In countries such as Laos and Vietnam, sex with someone of the same sex is not a criminal offence. Thailand, and certainly capital Bangkok, has a vibrant gay scene. There are also several gay bars in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. No dark pubs in small back streets, but very visible cafés with a diverse audience. Café Blue Chilli has been in existence since 2006 and is located right in the tourist district, close to the Royal Palace and opposite a Buddhist temple. As the monks prepare for the evening prayer, the final touches are laid across the street. The Cambodian actors like to show their androgynous side and play with the clichés of femininity and seduction. Homophobia But behind this facade of glitter and apparent tolerance there is still much discrimination. Earlier this year, the human rights organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a report on Vietnamese young people struggling with their orientation. Witness testimony shows that teachers speak of homosexuality as “a disease that can be cured.” “Acceptance of sexual orientation and gender identity has increased sharply in Vietnam in recent years, but the government has not yet implemented these changes in Slavic,” LGBTQia+ expert Graeme Reid concludes in the HRW report. “The United Nations already talked about an anti-discrimination law in 2014,” says Vietnamese gay rights activist Lieu Anh Vu. It refers to the so-called Universal Periodic Review by UPR. It makes recommendations to each UN Member State to improve the human rights situation. “But that has remained dead, even though a very general protection has been demanded – without specific requirements for education or the economy.” Cambodian trans girl Rachana Chhoeurng recognizes the stories from neighboring Vietnam. “I also encountered resistance at school and in my family.” Parents often don’t see a relationship with someone of the same sex as full-fledged ones. You think it’s a bygonephase in sexual development. Or they are looking for a “healer”. Without (straight) marriage, without family. And then no one can take care of you later. Lack of social security Older Cambodians are resorting to their children. Male dominance Preab Thearith, one of the drag queens from the gay bar in Phnom Penh, had a hard time getting out of his parents’ closet. “My father literally told me he would meet me if it turned out I was gay. For him, gay sex workers are prostitutes for wealthy Westerners. It is very difficult to get this negative image out of his head.’Anan Bouapha founded the LGBT organization Proud to be us Laos, but he hasn’t made it wrong to tell his parents, until after three years, that he is committed to lgbt rights. ‘I didn’t want to disappoint or shock them, they were very homophobic.’ The negative attitude stems from a traditional culture of male dominance. “It states that it is a privilege to be born as a man. If you really want to be a woman or have feminine traits, it means you’re cursed. You did something bad in your previous life, and that’s why you’re abnormal now.” Transgender people therefore find it very difficult to find a decent job. In the fight against homophobia, Proud to be us wants to fight Laos discrimination in the workplace. Although this is not so much a problem in the capital Vientiane, but especially in the (large) landscape. Rachana, the trans girl from Cambodia, agrees. “Because of discrimination or harassment, many lesbians or transgender people leave school early. And then all they have left is a poorly paid job.” Luckily, I also hear positive stories. A colleague of Drag Queen Thearith introduces himself to me as Andrea: clearly a Western nickname. The trans woman is happy to show me her brand new (real) breasts. Andrew’s family has always supported her and even wanted to pay for the trip to Bangkok: the place to be around the world for sex operations. And not so far from Phnom Penh. Thailand is also a good example in neighbouring Laos. Laotists follow the Thai media closely because the two languages are very similar and Bangkok is a symbol of sexual openness. Pink DollarBut the sham deceives, lieu anh vu white. The Vietnamese activist heads ILGA Asia (International Lesbian and Gay Association), an LGBT organization based in Bangkok. According to him, Thailand is particularly advanced for tourists. “They like to see the pink dollars (money coming from LGBT people, nvdr).” “Recently, the Thai government announced that it wanted to open marriage to same-sex couples… but only for foreigners and not for their own people. That is not what we mean, of course. If marriage is not recognised in the home of these tourists, the obligation has no legal value.” The example seems to confirm the theory that Southeast Asian governments still too often view homosexuality as a western phenomenon. “That’s why we’re trying to appeal to MPs,” Anan said. “Together with the National University of Laos, we have produced a research paper on discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace. The fact that the Faculty of Law supports us increases our credibility with politicians.” But he is sure it will be a long-term job. According to him, it is still 10 or 20 years to wait for a full-fledged same-sex marriage in Laos. “I studied in Europe,” he says, “so that I know that activists there forced a breakthrough by standing on the barricade. But things are slowing down in Southeast Asia. I don’t want to be brittle, but I want to find compromises.” Lieu Anh Vu hopes that something will change in Vietnam in five years. “Even if same-sex marriage does not happen immediately, the government could still approve a partnership so that same-sex people can officially commit to each other. The media and public opinion are ready.” (IPS)