LGBT rights in Laos
LGBT rights in Laos | ||
---|---|---|
Adoption | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Laos go unreported and unnoticed. While homosexuality is legal in
Legality of same-sex sexual activity
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Laos, and is not believed to have ever been criminalized. Having been a former colony of France, Laos never inherited any anti-sodomy laws since the French declared such laws as unconstitutional in 1791. The age of consent is 15, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.[2]
Recognition of same-sex relationships
Laos does not recognize same-sex marriages, nor any other form of same-sex unions. There are no known debates surrounding the legalization of such unions.
Discrimination protections
Currently, there are no laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation,[3] and the national Constitution of Laos does not expressly address sexual orientation or gender identity issues.[4]
On 21 January 2020, at the 35th Session - Universal Periodic Review at UN Human Rights Council, there was the recommendation on The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE-LGBTI) From H.E Christopher Grima - Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations Office in Geneva to the delegation of Lao PDR to: "Continue taking steps to improve the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, particularly by identifying their needs, and consider involving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex representatives in decision-making processes."[5]
In addition, there was a recommendation from H.E Harald Aspelund, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations in Geneva, to the delegation of Lao PDR to: "Adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that addresses direct and indirect discrimination and encompasses all the prohibited grounds of discrimination, including sexual orientation and gender identity."[5]
Living conditions
In 2013, the
Theravada Buddhism is the most predominant religion in Laos. LGBT activist Anan Bouapha has stated, "Many people might think that Laos is conservative and extremely close-minded when it comes to LGBT issues. Realistically, our culture and mentality seem to be quite open-minded to people from all walks of life. I have seen many transgender people wearing traditional costumes to temples, attending traditional ceremonies and some gay students expressing [their] identity among [their] peers and teachers."[6]
Groups and organisations
Culture, events and media
Gay foreigners visiting Laos in the 1990s sometimes reported the existence of a taboo associated with foreigners that made it hard to interact with Laotians, except discreetly at night. The
The Communist Government has allowed certain public health non-governmental organizations to work with the LGBT community. Community Health and Inclusion Association (CHias Laos), formerly known as Lao Positive Health Association (LAOPHA) (Lao: ສະມາຄົມ ສຸຂະພາບຊຸມຊົນ ແລະ ການມີສ່ວນຮ່ວມ), founded in 1999, promotes HIV/AIDS education to many different segments of Lao society, including men who have sex with men.
The first public
In 2015, Proud to be Us Laos marked the first
In 2017, the British, Australian, American and Canadian embassies, in partnership with Proud to be Us Laos, hosted a reception in Vientiane. Chargé d'Affairs of the Canadian Embassy Lee-Anne Hermann said, "Today, let us unite in this global celebration of diversity and community. A coming together to share experiences and stories to deepen our understanding and appreciation of LGBTI persons and their contributions to society." The event was also attended by some representatives from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[16][17]
In 2018, four more embassies participated in the advocacy campaign, namely France, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The Australian embassy wrote a Facebook post about LGBT issues in Laos. The U.S. embassy organised a small panel discussion with partners and Lao audience at the American Centre.[18]
IDAHOT 2019 was organised at the Australian embassy in Vientiane on 17 May. The event was attended by 15 embassies, staff from local Lao civil society organizations, international NGOs, and many others.[19]
In August 2019, Anan Bouapha, Founder/President of Proud To Be Us Laos, was named as one of the Grand Marshals of the Montreal Pride along with: LGBTQ+ activist and athlete Val Desjardins, advocate and M. Cuir Montréal 2011 Dany Godbout, author and activist Ma-Nee Chacaby, creator of the trans flag Monica Helms, actor and advocate Wilson Cruz.[20][21][22] They were welcomed by Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.[23]
On 19 December 2019, "Being LGBT At Work (A STUDY OF LGBTI PERSONS IN THE WORKPLACE IN LAO PDR)", conducted by the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the National University of Laos, the Law and Development Partnership and Proud to Be Us Laos, was officially presented at the Annual Legal Research Forum 2019.[24] Proud to Be Us Laos said in a statement: "Civil society could refer [to it] as data evidence on related laws and policy. It also can be used as [an] advocacy tool with partners from both [the] government, [NGOs] and internationally appropriately." Additionally, the "Pride At Work" Poster Project, a Canada funded project implemented by Proud To Be Us Laos in collaboration with the Faculty of Law and Political Science, was also launched that same day. Several Lao celebrities have expressed support for the project, including Aluna Thavonsouk (well-known Lao singer and former goodwill ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)), Kai Nangpaya (host of the popular Pineapple Chit-Chat), Inthy Deuansavanh (businessman and founder of the Inthira Group of hotels and restaurants), Dr. Ponsinh Phithavong Boutkaska "Toto" (model and coach for Miss World Laos), Souliyan Lounchantha (head of the Clinical Legal Education Program in Lao PDR at the Faculty of Law and Political Science), and Olam Rasaphonh (prominent transgender activist). The Pride At Work ambassadors participated in a poster shooting and short video project with their personal messages to encourage Lao society "to open their heart and mind to ensure that employment in Laos focuses on people's abilities, competence and merits regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or race."
Summary table
Same-sex sexual activity legal | (Always legal) |
Equal age of consent (15) | (Always equal) |
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only | |
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services | |
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) | |
Same-sex marriages | |
Recognition of same-sex couples | |
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples | |
Joint adoption by same-sex couples | |
Adoption by single people regardless of sexual orientation | |
LGBT people allowed to serve openly in the military | |
Right to change legal gender | |
Access to IVF for lesbians | |
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples | |
MSMs allowed to donate blood |
See also
References
- ^ 2008 Human Rights Report: Laos
- ^ Age of Consent in Laos, ageofconsent.net
- ^ "ສິດທິຂອງກຸ່ມຄົນ ປະເພດ 2 ຫຼື LGBT ຢູ່ລາວ". rfa.org (in Lao). 12 June 2018.
- ^ "Laos Constitution (version 2015)". axl.cefan.ulaval.ca (in French and English).
- ^ a b https://www.upr-info.org/sites/default/files/document/lao_people039s_democratic_republic/session_35_-_january_2020/report_of_the_working_group_lao_english.pdf Archived 28 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL PDF]
- ^ a b "In Laos, An Invisible Minority Is Finding Its Voice". J&C Services. 20 October 2015.
- ^ "Laos is not a cozy place for NGOs". Deutsche Welle. 14 November 2014.
- ^ a b c ""ÊTRE LGBTI N'EST PAS UNE INFLUENCE OCCIDENTALE, C'EST UNE RÉALITÉ HUMAINE"". SciencesPro (in French). 9 November 2017.
- ^ "Laos holds first gay pride event". The Telegraph. 27 June 2012.
- ^ Richard Ammon. "Gay Laos: Lost and Found". GlobalGayz.com.
- ^ Adam Bemma (3 October 2018). "Overcoming a government crackdown on social media in Laos". Reuters.
- ^ "Laos holds first gay pride event". The Telegraph. 27 June 2012.
- ^ "IDAHOT EVENTS 2015: LAOS CELEBRATED IDAHOT FOR THE FIRST TIME". may17.org. 5 June 2015.
- ^ a b "EU celebrated IDAHO Day in Vientiane". European External Action Service. 18 May 2016.
- ^ "CELEBRATING IDAHOT FOR THE FIRST TIME: INSIGHT INTO A MILESTONE EVENT". may17.org. 20 July 2015.
- ^ "Diplomatic and Business Community Mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia". U.S. Embassy in Laos. 18 May 2017.
- ^ "IDAHOT 2017 COUNTRY PAGE: LAOS". may17.org. 13 May 2017.
- ^ "Participation de l'Ambassade de France au Laos à la Journée Mondiale de Lutte contre l'Homophobie et la Transphobie". Ambassade de France à Vientiane (in French).
- ^ "LAOS COUNTRY PAGE 2019". may17.org. 26 May 2019.
- ^ "Your guide to Montreal Pride 2019". montrealgazette. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ "30 years after coming out, two-spirit elder hopes to inspire others to do the same | CBC News".
- ^ "Grand Marshals". Fierté Montréal. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ Grillo, Matt (18 August 2019). "Trudeau, Legault join thousands of revelers at annual Pride Parade". Montreal. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ ""Being LGBT At Work (A STUDY OF LGBTI PERSONS IN THR WORKPLACE IN LAO PDR)"". Facebook. 19 December 2019.