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