For gay and transgender, a struggle for equality
In the past, Chhoeurng Rachana had a boyfriend, but now she loves a woman instead. The 27-year-old says she just realized who she really loved, after trying to figure out her own feelings toward men four years ago. “Back in 2010, I tried having a boyfriend to see whether I love men or not, but it failed,” she told VOA Khmer in a recent interview. “After we broke up, I started my relationship with girls and then I knew I loved women 100 percent.” After her realization, Chhoeurng Rachana still had to face her family and friends. … Even though more lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Cambodians have opened up publicly, they say they are still facing stigma and discrimination against them by the society, especially by their own family members. Now an increasing number of the community say they want to end discrimination against them, insisting they need the same rights as other people to love whoever they want to. Chhoeurng Rachana said her family has not accepted her as a lesbian due to the societal pressure. Like her, Ngo Menghourng, a transgender, said his father and brothers also discriminate against him because he loves men rather than women. … According to members of the LGBT community, many parents are embarrassed to have sons or daughters who love the same sex or are transgender. Ly Pisey, a board member of a local LGBT non-governmental organization called Rainbow Community Kampuchea, said young gay or transgender run away from home rather than change their character. … Cambodia has no laws to prohibit same-sex relationships. But recognizing people who the same sex as is not widely practiced. Most of the time, this group of people especially transgender, has been made fun of, even in public places, for how they behave or simply how they look. Chak Sopheap, executive director of Cambodian Center for Human Rights, says LGBT people want the same rights and treatment as other citizens in the country. …
Say Mony
http://www.voacambodia.com/content/for-gay-and-transgender-a-struggle-for-equality/1920328.html
