A coalition of LGBTI and other civil society groups came together in the capital, Phnom Penh, on May 16 – 17, to commemorate Gay Pride, and the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) Cambodia 2014.

For a full report of IDAHOT 2014 in Cambodia you can download this report (pdf, 2.6mb) produced by CamASEAN.

The series of events was facilitated by CamASEAN, and convened by CamASEAN Youth’s Future, Rainbow Cambodia Advocate Team (Rainbow CAT), Cambodia LGBT Legal Support (CLGBT), Cambodia Women and Choices (CWC), Cambodia Children and Choices Project (CCP), Life is Learning Club (LLC), Cambodian Center for Human Rights (Donor), East West Management Institute (Donor).

Over 100 people attended, and events were marked by the participation of high profile public figures and media interest.

Events included workshops and presentations aimed at raising awareness of, and acceptance towards, LGBTI communities within Cambodian society. Amongst the highlights were presentations by local community leaders accepting same sex couples, and the sharing of experiences of individuals living in rural settings. A legal analysis presentation by Cambodian law university students, reviewing the impact of Cambodian legal environment towards LGBTI people, as well as dancing, singing and sports activities, also marked the commemorations.

Photos from IDAHOT 2014 in Cambodia

A village leader sharing his experiences of how to accept LGBT people and giving advice to LGBT people and their families of how to seek legal support from authorities. May 18, 2014. Source: CamASEAN

LGBT friends expressing their pride with the rainbow flag. May 17 – 18, 2014. Source: CamASEAN

Dancing, singing and sporting to end Pride and IDAHOT celebration. May 18, 2014. Source: CamASEAN

Select media coverage

National television network Hang Meas TV covered the commemorations in this news broadcast:

Gay Pride and IDAHOT Cambodia News from Hang Meas TV 17th & 18th May from srorn on Vimeo.

• Phnom Penh Post: Equality far off for Cambodia’s LGBT community forced to undergo ‘curing’
• Phnom Penh Post: Equality Pride Week
• Radio Free Asia: Cambodian civil society organisations mark IDAHO-T
• Voice of America: Gay and transgender communities struggle for equality

Further information

• Cambodia LGBT website: www.cambodialgbt.wordpress.com
• CamASEAN website: www.camasean.org
• IDAHOT Cambodia facebook page: www.facebook.com/IDAHOTCambodia
• Cambodia LGBT legal support page: www.facebook.com/groups/legalcounselling
• Cambodian SOGIE on twitter: www.twitter.com/CambodianSOGIE

The national LGBT Network, Rainbow Community Kampuchea (RoCK), led the organisational efforts around May 17 in the capital, Phnom Penh, to mark Cambodia’s Pride Week, May 12th – 19th, and also the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2013.

The schedule for the RoCK-organised part of Pride Week which targeted the Cambodian LGBT community, particularly from the provinces, was as follows:

* 15th May – Travel day to Phnom Penh

* 16th May – Coming Out because we are not wrong! A workshop aimed at strengthening the community’s ability to speak up for themselves and explain who they are, and also to know the pace at which to do that- it will take time to come out!

The information leaflets were presented, explained, explored and shared.

* 17th May – IDAHO – The beginnings of accepting LGBT rights – A workshop featuring local authorities, police and human rights lawyers who support LGBT rights; highlighting Hun Sen’s speech of 11th December 2012 which strongly supports LGBT rights as human rights; getting advice from the authorities and police about how to protect yourself and how to explain yourself in a respectful way; exploring sexual harassment faced by LGBT once they are arrested or interact with the police or authorities; learning concrete ways to protect ourselves from these risks.

* 18th May – Learning to protect ourselves from rights violations- A workshop led by a human rights lawyer examining how the anti-trafficking law is being used against lesbians; exploring how the commune safety policy is being used against LGBT; learning concrete ways to protect ourselves from these risks.

* 19th May – Pride Community Day: Blessing ceremony, Sports Day and an evening concert of LGBT performances.

* 20th May – Travel back to the provinces.

Pictures from Phnom Penh:

For more information:

• RoCK blog: http://rockhmerlgbt.wordpress.com/
• RoCK on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RoCKHMERLGBT2009/

Under the slogan “different but the same”, the celebrations included a week long LGBT film festival, an international arts festival titled ‘Proud out Lout”, a workshop on family acceptance of LGBT people and coming out as LGBT, training sessions for the media, a candle light vigil for HIV victims, and social programs including pool parties, dance contests, and a most surprising ‘Tuk-Tuk’ (local three-wheeled scooter) race.

Five teams, including one featuring the British Ambassador, braved monsoon rain to race around Phnom Penh’s LGBT-friendly spots and complete various challenges – from getting a team photo in an elevator to getting a hair cut !