Lieutenant General Doeun Chandara on Pride and IDAHOTB 2021 celebration
From Ministry of Interior, we have the honorable participation of Lieutenant General Doeun Chandara, Vice Chairman of Legislative Council, which he shared his observation of LGBT+ rights in global and national context:
On my own behalf, I am pleased to warmly congratulate the LGBTIQ community across Cambodia on the event you are celebrating in 2021. This event aims to raise awareness and attention of stakeholders to reduce discrimination against LGBTIQ people, to contribute to promoting freedom in Cambodia and the roles of Rainbow Community Kampuchea to be more active serving the community and LGBTIQ people to improve social welfare and harmonization, which are the aspirations of our society as a whole.
I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the leaders of the Rainbow Community Kampuchea to increase communication with stakeholders and local authorities to provide more education, guidance, and training to improve knowledge and professionalism and adapt people’s way of life following the social context and reality.
Finally, I would like to wish the LGBTIQ people and Rainbow Community Kampuchea success in your endeavors and be blessed with the five Buddha’s blessings: Longevity, class, happiness, strength, and influence.
When do people celebrate Pride Week and IDAHOTB Day?
Every year, LGBTIQ Pride Week and IDHOTB day is organized to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of the LGBTIQ community. Although the exact origin of the Day is still unclear, it started in Australia/New Zealand. Some say that LGBTI Pride Week began in March 1980 in New Zealand. However, it should be noted that the first event in Australia was held at Collingwood Town Hall in Melbourne on October 13, 1990. Since then, LGBTIQ in Melbourne celebrates the event on October 8.
What are the importance of Pride Week and IDAHOTB Day?
International Day Against homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia is an important event and it is consistent with the global tendency where more countries are recognizing the legal rights of LGBTIQ people. It is an event to share LGBTIQ rights with stakeholders and LGBTIQ allies. This is also an opportunity to encourage LGBTIQ people to come out to the outside world and show to the world and our society that we are as beautiful and dignified as any other communities in the society.
What are the challenges faced by LGBTI peoples?
We are well aware that the LGBTIQ community faces many issues, including mental health problems, depression, anxiety, emotional stress, and mental fatigue. We tend to keep them secret because we are afraid that society would not accept us because of tradition and culture. This situation makes the community be at risk of various forms of discriminations such as discrimination at home (an impact that leads to homelessness and health issues), discrimination in employment (affect the ability to pay for health care and financial security), harassment, and stress (affect mental health and/or lead to smoking or suicide), loneliness (cause depression), self-inflicted sexual harms, or sexual risks with their love ones (that lead to sexual health risks), difficulties in getting married and start a legal family.
What is the way forward for LGBTIQ community?
As I mentioned above, I understand your difficulties and obstacles, especially the challenges due to the lack of stakeholder involvement and recognition from society in general. But at the same time, I sincerely praise the Rainbow Community Kampuchea and the LGBTIQ community for your great efforts to overcome all obstacles to support their families and our society, especially as we are now facing another level of hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
