#WARMSHELTER: PRIDE & IDAHOTB 2021
RoCK strictly and actively participate in preventative measures. Following the restrictive guideline of the WHO and MOH, laws and directive order of the RGC to prevent Covid-19 infections and transmissions, RoCK together with our networks and allies celebrates Pride & IDAHOTB 2021 via the online platforms where continued our spirit from last year .
We use Pride & IDAHOTB occasion to continue to discuss, share experiences, and participate in proactive actions with LGBT community members, the general public, national government and local authorities, professionals in areas of law, health, social work, media, entrepreneurs, and scholars, etc., on building Cambodia a #WarmShelter and to achieve our vision, through our commitments and abilities, such as:
- we could and continue to participate in building Cambodia as the #WarmShelter, starting from our self-determination for personal development and well-being. This means that every individual should respect and recognise people’s diversities, different backgrounds, especially poor and marginalised people, respond to their needs, and appreciate their contributions in all parts and at levels.
- we could maintain and support our commitment as well as a responsibility to protect and grow the love and happiness of our families.
- we continue and strengthen the community supporting system and solidarity at all times, especially during difficult situations and crises.
- we continue, strengthen, and innovate our works based on the principle of unity for societal equality
Collective Pride Celebration History:
Individual Messages: Self-determination & Contribution:
Starting from individual, RoCK members and other LGBT+ individuals who want to share story how they do their roles during the pandemic, challenges and their messages to public.
1.Sichan :
“I am a policewoman living Banteay Meanchey province. My role in the fight against covid-19, I stand by at a quarantine center and my husband works as a chef here as well. I disseminate face masks to people to protect themselves from covid-19 disease and spend out of pocket money to distribute food to the elderly and people with disability. I also protect myself by wearing masks and spraying alcohol. I don’t always get enough rest when I’m on duty, but I am lucky to have a husband by my side always.”
2.Book, Midwife:
“Fighting against covid-19, My team and I disseminate prevention covid-19 information to educate the local people on prevention measures of the Ministry of Health and to taking care of people who are in quarantine. Standing by quarantine center, we face high risk of infection, as there are both infected and non-infected people there and we can’t see the virus until being tested. However, we wear protective masks, spray disinfectant, that can reduce infection chance. All the doctors and I need to stand by from noon to night which make us exhausted, but we are not giving up, because this is what we can do to save people’s lives. We hope that covid-19 problem will end soon. Through my work, I want to show the local people where I work, that even we are part of LGBT community, we can work as everyone. In the future, I also hope that everyone will stop discriminating against us and understand that we are ordinary people just like them. I wish we will have a law that allows us to get married and other rights like everyone else soon in the future. ”
3. Nakeo Ampha, a Make up artist and Salon owner in Phnom Penh:
“I would like to encourage you to help protect the community by taking good care of yourself, protecting yourself from covid-19 by always sanitize your hands with alcohol and soap and wearing masks. Finally, as a transgender person, I would like to send my wish to you to stay safe from covid-19 and wish you happiness. Be strong to fight against this terrible disease.”
4. Channa from Tbong Kmom Province shared how her situation has been during corvid 19 :
“I’m growing vegetables including luffa, and fishing for a living. Even though I harvest, there’s no market for it so I sell them in the village to get some income. I join to prevent the covid-19 infection by wearing masks, cleaning hands with disinfectant while selling vegetables in the village. I also prevent my child from going out and gathering with friends. I wish you all good health and avoid covid 19.”
Couples and Local Authority Dialogue on forming family and partners contract (Declaration of Family Relationship)
Proof of our love: Story of Raksmey and Chakriya
The couple tell the story how they met and formalized their relationship using Declaration of Family Relation ship. Read the story
LGBT+ Community Situation & Respond to Corvid 19:
Artist Talks:
Prum Ok Sodun x Pi Say : NATYARAS Dance Troupe and challenges during Corvid 19
Yu Saran x Chhum Ratha: Journey to find passion in Art
VUTH Lyno x Ly Pisey: Journey to find the identity and art language
Chilly x HEANG: Colors of Love and the MV production process
Artist and Influencer: Roath Sinora
We are thrilled to collaborate with Sinora this year celebration! Her way of busting myth about LGBT+ is logical and entertaining. Her wish on IDAHOTB this year to have no hatred comments on her video is not really fulfilling but major progressive comments and supports from straight allies are there and they visualized hope for us.
Drag Queen Show: Blue Chilli
From business and performing sectors we have Blue Chilli Bar and Café. Pride Celebration shine more brightly and colorful with Drag Queens show online! Rebecca and JC Queen, two glamorous queen from Blue Chilli joint Pride with their talents and provide educational information on Drag Queen as profession. https://www.facebook.com/newbluechilli/videos/2689100291387832
Local Authorities :
1.Ms. Tep Sormony, Chief of Kouk Pring Commune, Svay Chrum District, Svay Rieng Province, who has been a supporting local authority shared her observation in her local area:
In current context, LGBT community does not face discrimination as the There is no discrimination against LGBTIQ people now because there is a broad understanding and extensive dissemination about rights. We can see that LGBTIQ people contribute to society in many ways as they do not create any issues for us to worry about. For example, in their family, there is no violence and it is full of love and happiness.
She continues:
“In this way, they are contributing to preventing domestic violence to a certain extent. In addition, during Covid time, they contribute to the prevention by complying with administrative measures set out by ministries and authorities. Supporting the LGBTIQ community is the rights and freedom of an individual as long as they love, value, and care for each other within the limits of individual scope of rights and freedom without violation of others.”
2. Mr. Nguon Sareuon, Chief of Kampong Bay Commune, Kampot City, Kampot Province
“Being LGBT+ is an individual’s preference and wish. They agree to live together voluntarily and they are unique. In my opinion, LGBTIQ people have contributed to the reduction of discrimination in our society and to promote rights and freedom just like any other citizens.”
3. Capt. Chin Monirath, Cheung Aek Administrative Police Station, Dangkor District Police Inspectorate, Phnom Penh
“During the last few years, we observe that the situation of LGBTIQ people has been improved. There is less discrimination even during the time our country is going through the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, LGBTIQ people have been involved in various art, charity, humanitarian and social activities, and the youth movement to support peace.”
He added:
“These positive changes are the results of support from parents and guardians of LGBTIQ people and the attention from authorities and through different public forums. While the government is working to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, I would like to urge everyone to go and get a vaccination and keep social distancing adapting ourselves to the new normal and following the 3 do’s and the 3 don’ts”
Government Messages:
CAMBODIA:
H.E Keo Remy, Delegate Minister to Prime Minister and President of Cambodia Human Rights Committee
H.E NHEAN SOCHETRA, Head of Department of Social Development of Ministry of Women Affair
We are honored to have Her Excellency Nhean Sochetra, Director General of the General Department of Social Development, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, answer some of our questions relate to Ministry support toward LGBT+ community including the new National Action Plan on the Prevention of Violence Against Women 2019-2023 (NAPVAW III).
Lieutenant General Doeun Chandara, Vice Chairman of Legislative Council of Ministry of Interior
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:
Swedish Embassy in Cambodia
From Swedish Embassy, we have the Ambassador, Mr Björn Häggmark who had also answers some of our questions regarding their support toward LGBT rights in Cambodia.
European Union in Cambodia:
Mrs. CARMEN MORENO, EU ambassador to Cambodia
Some other Embassies in Cambodia also share their supporting messages on their Facebook pages.
United Nations
United Nations in Cambodia:
Mrs Pauline Tamesis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia
and more messages from their networks, on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/watch/OneUNCambodia/
Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia
Media:
Phuon Kongkea
Capacity Development Program Officer at Cambodja
“Media participation to reports fact on LGBT+ professionally is a participation to respect Human Rights.”
Ly You Y
Capacity Development Manager at CamboJA
“Diversity of race, religious belief, tradition and culture are what make life beautiful. To me, there is no different at all to have a friend, a colleague or a family member as a straight or LGBTIQ person. What important is everyone has fulfilled their roles to be a good citizen, a good friend and a child living in the society.”
Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM)
Say Phalla Senior program producer of CCIM and Core group member of Cambodian Women Journalists Network
“The media’s involvement to end discrimination against LGBT people is contributing to our respect for human rights in general. Journalists are part of the elimination of discrimination against LGBT people.”
Keoung Sophea, Reporting Producer at PNN TV
“Nature gifts equal rights to everyone. No one can choose sex and adopting a mindset before they were born! I don’t have any disappointment in having LGBT friends at all. Respect, love, value, non-discrimination against LGBT+ is the value of a good person following the gift of nature.”
NGO/CSO:
We observed visibility of rainbow among Women Rights and Child Rights groups during this Pride through their online plateform. NGOs/CSOs like Silaka and Save the Children Cambodia are among the group.
We had the opportunity to talk to Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC) Deputy Director, Eng Chandy on their supports toward LGBT+ community to achieve gender equality. In addition to the answering RoCK’s questions, GADC colleagues had shared further supports through their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/genderissue
Dosslarb and RHAC discussion on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights of LBT
Our Team and Members on media:
CCHR Radio:
Pride and IDHAOTB celebration 2021 (Link)
IDAHOTB and Progress of LGBT+ situation (link)
Summary result from Pride & IDAHOTB 2021 celebration
Voice of Gender Equality Talk show: Pride and IDAHOTB “Warm Shelter”
and in other interview article:
“Cambodian lgbt people want Legal Marriage”
“Legal needs are still priorities for LGBT+ people”
“It Didn’t Feel Warm in the Family Anymore”: LGBTIQ+ Community Speaks Out at Pride Week
Family of LGBT+ community cut their allowance during Corvid 19
Our reflection on Pride Week and IDAHOTB 2021 Celebration in South East Asia Globe
