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Country Overview

Myanmar

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

No

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

No

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

No

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

No

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Myanmar underwent a process of political reform from 2011-2015. Since then, some human rights of LGBTIQ people have been recognized; however, there are still significant barriers to LGBTIQ equality. Myanmar’s Penal Code prohibits same-sex sexual intimacy and contributes to widespread antipathy towards LGBTIQ people. The law provides legal coverage for police targeting, harassment, and extortion of LGBTIQ people. Transgender people are particularly vulnerable to these human rights violations, especially with the lack of legal gender recognition procedures in Myanmar. Myanmar remains a conservative country, which emphasizes “traditional” culture and values. As such, societal opinion of LGBTIQ people is generally negative. LGBTIQ people are subject to violence, harassment, discrimination, and social rejection both in public and private spheres. Additionally, harmful stereotypes and misinformation are perpetuated through inaccurate and negative media portrayals of LGBTIQ people. Despite these barriers, LGBTIQ people have recently experienced greater visibility and growing support around the country.

 

Global Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa

Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

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United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

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Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

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Middle East and North Africa

In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.



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Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

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Americas

Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.

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Pacific

Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

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Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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