- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unrecognized
- Censorship
- ✖ State-enforced
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- Unknown
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- N/A
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Public Opinion
Recent studies in Myanmar show a discernible level of opposition to LGBTQ+ rights among the population.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
History
Homosexual activity in Myanmar is illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
Current status
Since May 1, 1861
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Section 377 of Myanmar's Penal Code states: "Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with transportation for life, or with imprisonment
of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine."
of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine."
Censorship of LGBT issues in Myanmar is state-enforced.
Current status
Since Mar 19, 1946
State-enforced
The Police Act of 1945 contains Section 35(c) which criminalises people covering their faces or otherwise disguising themselves between sunset and sunrise “who are unable to give a satisfactory account of himself”. This law has been used arbitrarily to target transgender people in Myanmar for their gender expression.
Additionally, LGBTIQ+ websites have been blocked in 2012.
Since the 2021 coup, the government has been using the guise of anti terrorism laws to arrest LGBT activists and peaceful protesters.
Additionally, LGBTIQ+ websites have been blocked in 2012.
Since the 2021 coup, the government has been using the guise of anti terrorism laws to arrest LGBT activists and peaceful protesters.
Right to change legal gender in Myanmar is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
Myanmar does not allow individuals to change the gender assigned to them at birth.
Gender-affirming care in Myanmar is restricted.
Current status
Restricted
A law in 1963 against sterilisation passed by the military dictatorship in Myanmar is used to severely limit access to gender affirming care.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Myanmar is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Myanmar does not allow individuals to change the gender assigned to them at birth.
LGBT discrimination in Myanmar is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since Jul 23, 2019
Illegal in some contexts
The Child Rights Law No. 22/2019 bans discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The MRTV Broadcasting Guidelines (2020) bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Gender Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (2022), issued by the Ministry of Health, broadly protects sexual orientation and gender identity. It states that key groups include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and asexual people.
The MRTV Broadcasting Guidelines (2020) bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Gender Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (2022), issued by the Ministry of Health, broadly protects sexual orientation and gender identity. It states that key groups include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and asexual people.
LGBT employment discrimination in Myanmar is no protections.
Current status
No protections
Myanmar does not provide any protections against employment discrimination for LGBT individuals.
LGBT housing discrimination in Myanmar is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Myanmar.
Same-sex adoption in Myanmar is single only.
Current status
Single only
Adoption criteria in Myanmar only allows for married couples (same sex marriage is not recognised) or single people to adopt.
Intersex infant surgery in Myanmar is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Myanmar has not banned genital "normalisation" surgeries on intersex infants.
Serving openly in military in Myanmar is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Blood donations by MSMs in Myanmar is legal.
Current status
Legal
MSMs are not mentioned in Myanmar's blood service's donor eligibility criteria.
Conversion therapy in Myanmar is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Myanmar law does not currently ban conversion therapy.
Equal age of consent in Myanmar is n/a.
Current status
Since May 1, 1861
N/A
Section 377 of the penal code prohibits same-sex sexual activity.
Equality Rank
#76
Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?
Top Contributors
- jadeywadey 26 contributions
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- Muhammadaji2022 2 contributions
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Common queries:
- Is it illegal to be gay in Myanmar?
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- Is gay marriage legal in Myanmar?
Alternative names: Myanma Pye (local name)
