Fridae | Myanmar’s first LGBT Pride Boat Parade sets sail

News & Features

28 Jan 2019

Myanmar’s first LGBT Pride Boat Parade sets sail

by Fridae Editor

Rainbow flags flew high and gay anthems blasted out over Rangoon’s river as a flotilla of boats took to the water of Myanmar’s biggest city on Saturday, for the country’s first-ever Pride boat parade in a sign of growing acceptance for LGBT rights.

The boat party kicked off the packed programme of events that will include films, debates and the much-anticipated Drag Queen Olympics, featuring handbag throwing and stiletto races.

But there is a very serious message beneath the flamboyance. Perceptions can be very different away from the main cities and many LGBT people still face discrimination in the socially conservative country.

The festival’s theme this year is "Heroes" to celebrate those who are standing up to fight for the LGBT Community. Actor Okkar Min Maung was recognised as a role model after shocking the country with his coming-out Facebook video last year.

The boat party kicked off the packed programme of events that will include films, debates and the much-anticipated Drag Queen Olympics, featuring handbag throwing and stiletto races.

But there is a very serious message beneath the flamboyance. Perceptions can be very different away from the main cities and many LGBT people still face discrimination in the socially conservative country.

The festival’s theme this year is "Heroes" to celebrate those who are standing up to fight for the LGBT Community. Actor Okkar Min Maung was recognised as a role model after shocking the country with his coming-out Facebook video last year.

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