Cambodians from the LGBTQIA+ community face stigmatization and discrimination, and do not have access to the legal protections they are entitled to under universal human rights which are endorsed by the Cambodian government.
Despite this, the community holds one of the most vibrant Pride Month celebrations in the region, celebrating the diversity in the community while continuing to advocate for their rights. Pride Month gives activists and community members a platform to have meaningful and engaging conversations with their peers and others around sexuality, gender, identity and society.
Cambodia has organized these celebrations since 2003, and now multiple advocacy groups, embassies, NGOs and local communities participate by organizing their own Pride events across the country.
The advocacy is echoed by people outside the community, who are aware of the role they play in making Cambodia more inclusive for its queer communities. Activities during pride are meant to bring together people from within and outside queer communities to have honest discussions, enjoy a meal or drink together or even participate in a fun tuk-tuk scavenger hunt.
In 2023, the hbs office was one of the stops in a tuk-tuk race. Participants were asked to illustrate their ideas of love and queerness through the Pride prism at the hbs office before proceeding to the next stop on the race.
The race includes a diverse group of Phnom Penh residents who come together for a fun event and encourages them to bring out their creative and fun side while still advocating for an important issue. Amid all the fun during Pride celebrations, one thing is clear: The end of discrimination of queer people and society’s embrace of them on all fronts is not a remote possibility. It is inevitable.
This article is an excerpt from "Profiles of Courage." Click here for the full reading.