Happiness of the Family

Sun Phy and Pen Thavy (Svay Rieng)

Photos by: Prum Ero

Story by: Chey Sokdom

“Our family is not different from others. We support and love each other from the heart and contentment.”

Phy: Pen Thavy is my partner, and we’ve been living together as husband and wife for 26 years. We live with our adopted child in Kdom Pi village, Kork Pring commune, Svay Chrum district, Svay Rieng. We are farmers and we are also Cambodian traditional musicians. Sometimes we have small arguments but it is not a big deal because we never focus on pointing out each other’s mistakes. We forgive and find ways to solve the conflicts. We avoid using violence. Not only we have a good relationship among our family members but also with our neighbours because of our kindness and supportiveness. To me, this is called building a happy family.

What I want is that our country will have laws protecting LGBT families including same-sex marriage, family book and full child adoption.

Thavy: It is truly crucial to legalise same-sex marriage because it’s a legal protection for our family to be recognised fully. Therefore, it buildsour confidence and trust, and it ensures our responsibilities including on our joint property. When we have same-sex marriage, the discrimination in the community will be reduced.