Until very recently Burma (also known as Myanmar) was one of the most closed off and secretive nations in the world, with its military dictatorship known for its lack of respect for human rights or anyone who disagreed with what they said. However in recent years the country has undergone massive and largely peaceful democratic reform. While there are still major criticisms, especially over the treatment of certain ethnic groups and the power the military still exerts.
One thing that would have been unthinkable 10 years ago in Burma would have been an LGBT film festival, but now one is coming, running from 12th-14th November at the French Institute in Rangoon.
The &Proud LGBT Film Festival plans to show 30 films mainly from Southeast Asian Nations, including five from Burma itself.
Program officer Hia Myat Tun tells Irrawaddy magazine, “We hope that festival will help the public to change their views about the LGBT community, or at least give them ideas that those views can be changed. We want to make a point that members of the LGBT community should be proud, and we wish to correct wrong messages that are being spread throughout the community by popular media.”
Tun also suggest that before reforms in 2012 it was very difficult to talk about LGBT issues in Burma at all, but that it is slowly changing and confidence is growing. Even so, it is still a very difficult place to be gay, as laws remain on the book that punish gay sex with up to 10 years to life in jail and fines.
The activist adds, “Some people will say that this is a bad idea, but it’s better than not saying anything about LGBT rights.”
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