Gay Myanmar man posts note on facebook detailing bullying before taking his life


PTI, Jun 25, 2019, 4:45 PM IST

Yangon: A gay Myanmar man posted a note on Facebook, including screenshots of alleged homophobic bullying before taking his life, prompting activists to call Tuesday for more protection for the emerging LGBTQ community.

Same-sex relations are still officially illegal under Myanmar’s colonial-era laws, but although LGBTQ people enjoy more freedoms in the country than ever before, rights groups say homophobia and discrimination are entrenched in the socially conservative country.

Kyaw Zin Win took his life after posting a final Facebook message to his family and friends, alongside a plea “not to be reborn” in a country “where superiors oppress those under them”. The 26-year-old librarian at Myanmar Imperial University (MIU), his profile picture black with an insignia of death, detailed how he had been bullied by colleagues.

He alleged his bosses forced him to come out at work and attached screenshots of group message chats appearing to show colleagues mocking him.

By Tuesday, the posts on Facebook — which serves as the main mode of communication in a country with low digital literacy — had been shared thousands of times, accompanied by hundreds of outraged comments. “Words can kill people… it’s murder,” wrote Hein Aung Thu.

The university released a statement Monday expressing its deepest sympathy over the “tragic” incident, adding it had visited his family. It added that it was investigating the case. One colleague, whose name appeared in the final post, issued a denial on Facebook of having played any role in the harassment.

Hla Myat Tun, co-director of the LGBTQ group Colors Rainbow, said workplace bullying in Myanmar was very common and that his organisation receives many messages from young LGBTQ people seeking psychological support.

Rights groups plan to rally later this week in honour of Kyaw Zin Win, and to call for the decriminalisation of homosexuality and introduction of an anti-discrimination bill. Despite the many challenges, there are signs of a growing acceptance of the community.

For the first time, Yangon authorities granted permission in 2018 for an LGBTQ festival in a public park which attracted some 12,000 people. This year also saw Myanmar’s first “Pride Boat Parade” on the Yangon river — although a full march through the streets remains an elusive goal in a country still wary of any protests.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Drugs worth Rs 6 crore seized in Bengaluru, five arrested

Siddaramaiah urges Nirmala Sitharaman to address NABARD’s loan cuts to farmers

Karnataka HC denies anticipatory bail to Prajwal Revanna in sexual harassment case

Delhi court stays defamation case against CM Atishi

Awards don’t create value for independent films in India: Manoj Bajpayee

Public Alert: Cyber fraudsters impersonating traffic police to demand fines

UP: 25 people booked for attacking civic officials for encroachment removal

Related Articles More

Bomb disposal squad tackles ‘security incident’ at UK’s Gatwick Airport

Baku climate talks: The ‘X’ factor that could determine future of Global South

India-US ties have strong foundation: White House confident in navigating crisis over Adani bribery charges

PM Modi leaves for home after concluding three-nation visit

China announces new policy measures to protect its exports from Trump’s new tariff threat

MUST WATCH

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation

Geethotsava

Naxal Operation


Latest Additions

Air pollution: SC flags Delhi govt’s failure to implement GRAP-4 curbs on entry of trucks

Drugs worth Rs 6 crore seized in Bengaluru, five arrested

Siddaramaiah urges Nirmala Sitharaman to address NABARD’s loan cuts to farmers

Satwik-Chirag enter semifinals, Lakshya loses to Antonsen in China Masters

BJP stages protest against Congress govt in Karnataka over Waqf properties row

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.