IDAHOT 2015 Events: Myanmar

In Myanmar LGBT umbrella group Colours Rainbow worked to support the efforts of local groups across the country and held an event on May 17.

IDAHOT events were hosted in 14 cities throughout Myanmar.

In celebration of IDAHOT the group, together with Kings n’ Queens, Myanmar LGBT Rights Network, &Proud and YG ran another national photo exhibition, featuring images from the country’s diverse LGBT community. The exhibition lasted fromMay 16th until May 24th. As well as a special showing of the images contestants will be able to take part in a 3-day workshop too.
Additionally, there was a panel discussion at the American Center on May 15th and the IDAHO Event on May 17.
 

Report from the IDAHO Event at Sein Lann Pyay Garden Restaurant (source Facebook page):
The event was attended by the National Human Rights Commission personnel, US diplomats, UN organizations, individuals, Personnel and various other civil society and by about 800 people, including human rights activists.
At the ceremony, Dr. Nyan Zaw (Myanmar National Human Rights Commission), made the first opening remarks, followed by Aung Myo Min (Equality Myanmar), US Ambassador Derrick Mitchel and UNAIDS Country Director who held a IDAHOT speech about human rights and the rights of LGBT.
The Kings n’ Queens group, YMCA youth and Link Up organised theater presentations and music.
In addition, a ceremony was held by LGBT rights organizations.
The ceremony started at 5 pm.

Other events were held in Bago, Lashio, Mahlaing, Mandalay, Mawlamyaing, Moegaung, Monywa, Myeik, Myingyan, Pakokku, Pathein, Pyay, Singu and Yangon. The events were joined by over 2000 people in total
The events were run by youth LGBT groups, with strong Lesbian participation increased in some big cities such as Yangon and Pyay. Collaboration from Non-LGBT groups visible increased in all of the cities.
10 out of the 14 cities celebrated the event as public event to raise the awareness among their local communities.
National TV reported the mobilisation