Parents are the shelter for children’s love

Tuy Raksmey and Choub Sreynoch (Kandal)

Photos by: Prum Ero

Story by: Chey Sokdom

Edit by: Ly Pisey

“Family is shelter of life and parents are like a solid roof to protect children.”

Sreynoch:I run a small business at home, selling meatballs and boiled duck eggs. My husband works for Rainbow Community Kampuchea (RoCK). Over the last 6 years, we‘ve been living together as husband and wife in a simple life.

Raksmey: Family is two people or a group of people living together with love, care and protection from any problems. Sreynoch and I love children, so in the future we want to adopt children and we want to have full rights and responsibilities as parents. On the other hand, when we talk about the law, it seems there are barriers for LGBT families.

Sreynoch: We are happy because we truly love and respect each other, and we work hard to build a decent life with dignity. What makes our love special is that we have a strong support and courage from our parents. Our only hope is that the law will protect our family just like straight couples including marriage, child adoption and other freedom.

Raksmey:My family, especially my mom and dad, is like a roof protecting us from wind and rain. The most meaningful and encouraging word from my dad which I remember is that: “Children is my blood who are invaluable. As parents, we cannot hate, argue and abandon them because of their sexual orientation. Happiness and contentment of our children are more important than anything.”

Sreynoch: Our parents and guardians always explain to our relatives and neighbours about our relationship. That’s their infinite love for us, because they don’t want people to look down on us. They said that they want all Cambodian people to live happily including families like us, communities and the whole society.