In the United States, the LGBTQ+ community faces constant attacks on their rights, bringing their issues to the forefront of political debates. However, activists worldwide are demonstrating how the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights can intersect with broader social and economic justice. In Myanmar, LGBTQ+ activists are joining forces with the democratic resistance against the military dictatorship, fighting for their community and the entire nation.
The Seeds of Revolution
Myanmar has experienced military dictatorship since 1962, but the strong popular movement for democracy reemerged after the military discarded the results of the November 2020 elections. LGBTQ+ activists, facing the risk of arrest, harassment, and violence, have joined the Spring Revolution, striving for equal rights for all Myanmar citizens. Prominent transgender activist Sue Sha Shinn Thant, for example, was sentenced to twenty-five years in prison by the military regime and was sexually assaulted and tortured.
An Alliance for Equality and Justice
The alliance between straight and LGBTQ+ activists is transforming the landscape for LGBTQ+ people in Myanmar. Rural areas and towns, like Yinmabin, serve as a base for resistance, with LGBTQ+ residents standing out as some of the most active and dedicated participants. LGBTQ+ solidarity demonstrations are now common, with farmers and miners cross-dressing and marching behind the rainbow flag to show support. This rapid transformation has encouraged people to accept their own sexual orientation and come out of the closet.
Transforming the Landscape
The work of LGBTQ+ activists alongside their straight co-conspirators in Myanmar’s Spring Revolution has brought about significant change. People have become more accepting and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. Although activists feel forgotten by the rest of the world, they continue to fight for an end to the violence and oppression they have endured for too long.