By Ancient Ruins, a Gay Haven in Siem Reap, Cambodia (from New York Times) It was 10 p.m. in Siem Reap, and while most tourists were tucked in after a long, hot day exploring the temples of Angkor, things were just getting going at a bar called Linga. Pairs of European men in their 30s
Cambodia is a poor agricultural country of more than 15 million people, most of whom are Theravada Buddhists. Most of the late 20th century was destructive to the country as warring factions destroyed the economy and killed millions of innocent people. But since 1997 and the bully takeover by Hun Sen, now Prime Minister, the country has at least seen peace and some commercial progress. Angkor Wat Temple ruins draw millions of tourists every year.
Homosexuality is not illegal in Cambodia, partly due to the tolerant atmosphere of Buddhism although it does not encourage or support it. The culture recognizes an intermediate or third gender but there are no legal protections for these communities. In 2010, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights established the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Project to empower LGBT people throughout Cambodia to advocate for their rights and to improve respect for LGBT people throughout Cambodia.
Cambodia’s first ever Pride celebration was held in 2003 in the capital city of Phnom Penh It is now a yearly event that openly celebrates the diversity of Cambodia. In 2015 the 11th Pride festival was held. Local businesses and LGBT community cooperated to organize this festival that featured seminars, workshops, films and parties to celebrate LGBT life and promote equality and understanding.
Name: Cambodia
Population: 11168000
Capital: Phnom Penh - Pop. 1350000
Area: 181035 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Khmer
Religion: Buddhist
Status of Homosexuality: Legal
Telephone Country Code: 855
Hun Sen marks World AIDS Day, 2022/Nov/30
Same-sex discrimination declines, 2019/May/20
Trans violence widespread in Cambodia, 2018/Apr/03
What’s It Like to Be LGBT in Cambodia?, 2018/Mar/28
The Khmer LGBTIQ+ Experience, 2018/Jan/15
‘Rainbow couples’ fight for approval, 2017/Nov/23
Timely warning over gay rights, 2017/May/18
Govt Details $460 Million Plan to Combat HIV/AIDS, 2017/May/18
Cambodian LGBT Comes Out of the Shadows, 2017/Mar/21
For many LGBTs, a secret life, 2015/Dec/15
Loans to fight LGBT poverty, 2015/Oct/20
Male Victims of Sexual Violence Struggle for Voice, 2015/May/30
Cambodia gets its first gay men-only hotel, 2014/Aug/20
Report: 4 lesbians arrested in Cameroon, 2014/Mar/06
Thoamada by Vuth Lyno, 2013/Jan/18
Cambodia’s PM speaks out against anti-gay bias, 2012/Dec/07
68 LGBT groups and NGOs protest non-inclusion of LGBTs in ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, 2012/Nov/16
HIV infection falls among men who have sex with men, 2012/Aug/23
Private viewing for male nudes, 2012/Aug/13
Love and survival through Khmer Rouge years, 2012/Jun/07
Double pride in Phnom Penh, 2012/Jun/04
No parade, but a Buddhist blessing: Cambodia Pride, 2012/May/09
Cambodia ASEAN Pride 2012, 2012/May/04
Sex work in Cambodia, 2012/Mar/08
Cambodian Police Force 2 MSMs to Cut Hair, 2011/Dec/21
Gay Cambodia News & Reports 2009-11, 2010/Jun/08
Gay Cambodia News & Reports 2004-08, 2009/Jan/01