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Research in attittudes towards LGBTQ+ issues in Myanmar have identified a strong opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting underlying homophobic sentiments.

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History

Homosexual activity in Myanmar

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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."
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Same-sex marriage in Myanmar

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Same-sex marriage in Myanmar is unrecognized.

Current status
Unrecognized
In Myanmar, there are no provisions recognising same-sex marriage, however the Special Marriage Act of 1872 does not explicitly ban it either.

However, the authorities intervened when a cis man married a trans woman in 2013.

Censorship of LGBT issues in Myanmar

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Myanmar is state-enforced.

Current status
Since Jan 2020
State-enforced
Since the 2020 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

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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.
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Gender-affirming care in Myanmar

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Gender-affirming care in Myanmar is restricted.

Current status
Since 1963
Restricted
1960s laws against sterilisation passed by a military dictatorship are used to severely limit access to gender affirming care.
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Myanmar

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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.
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LGBT discrimination in Myanmar

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LGBT discrimination in Myanmar is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Myanmar.
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LGBT employment discrimination in Myanmar

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LGBT employment discrimination in Myanmar is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Myanmar does not provide any protections against employment discrimination for LGBT individuals.
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LGBT housing discrimination in Myanmar

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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.
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Same-sex adoption in Myanmar

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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.
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Intersex infant surgery in Myanmar

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Intersex infant surgery in Myanmar is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Myanmar has not banned genital "normalisation" surgeries on intersex infants.
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6.6 paragraph 6
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Serving openly in military in Myanmar

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Serving openly in military in Myanmar is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Blood donations by MSMs in Myanmar

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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

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Conversion therapy in Myanmar is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Myanmar law does not currently ban conversion therapy.
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6.6 paragraph 6
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Equal age of consent in Myanmar

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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.
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LGBT Rights by Division

View the LGBT laws in each individual division of Myanmar.