363DIRECTORY A–ZGAY & LESBIAN TRAVELLERS^erlands embassy in Bangkok
(%+66 (0)2 309 5200)
New Zealand Affairs han-
dled by UK embassy
Pakistan (%01-222 881; 4A
Pyay Rd)
Philippines (%01-558 149;
50 Sayasan St)
Singapore (%01-559 001;
238 Dhama Zedi Rd)
Sri Lanka (%01-222 812; 34
Taw Win St)
Thailand (%01-226 721; 94
Pyay Rd, Dagon)
UK (%01-256 438, 01-370 863;
fax 01-380 322; 80 Strand Rd)
USA (%01-536 509, 01-535
756; fax 01-650 306; 110
University Ave, Kamayut)
Vietnam (%01-511 305; 72
Than Lwin Rd, Bahan)
Gay & Lesbian
Travellers
Homosexuality has an
ambiguous legal status in
Myanmar. Under a section of
the Penal Code of 1882–88,
‘carnal intercourse against
nature’ is punishable with
imprisonment of up to 10
years. While this law is rarely
enforced, it renders gays and
lesbians vulnerable to police
harassment. This said, a local
woman walking with a foreign
man will raise more eyebrows
than two same-sex travellers
sharing a room.
Gay and transgendered
people in Myanmar are rarely
‘out’, except for ‘third sex’
spirit mediums who channel
the energies of nat spirits
(see p 341 ). As elsewhere,
it can be seen as a bit of a
cultural taboo, though most
of Myanmar’s ethnic groups
are known to be tolerant of
homosexuality, both male
and female. Some Bud-
dhists, however, believe
that those who committed
sexual misconducts (such
as adultery) in a previous life
become gay or lesbian in this
one. Muslim and Christian
Myanmar communities may
object to homosexuality
but, as they form relatively
small minorities, they rarely
foist their perspectives on
people of other faiths. Public
displays of aff ection, whether
heterosexual or homosexual,
are frowned upon.
Check Utopia-Asia (www.
utopia-asia.com) for some
Yangon scene reports; it
also publishes a gay guide
to Southeast Asia, including
Myanmar.
A few foreign travel agen-
cies specialise in ‘gay tours’ –
meaning a standard tour on
which gay or lesbian travel-
lers can feel comfortable
they’ll check into gay-friendly
hotels. (Many of the guides
are openly gay, too.) Agen-
cies with trips to Myanmar
include Purple Dragon
(www.purpledrag.com) and
Mandalay Travel (www.
mandalaytravel.com).Insurance
A travel- insurance policy is
a very wise idea, though not
all companies cover travel
to Myanmar. There is a wide
variety of policies and your
travel agent will have
recommendations.
Worldwide travel insurance
is available at http://www.lonely
planet.com/travel_services.
You can buy, extend and
claim online anytime – even if
you’re already on the road.Internet Access
Getting online in Myanmar
is possible, especially in the
big cities – look for reviews
with either an i or a W icon
for places with internet-ready
computers or wi-fi access
respectively. During research
for this guide, we even found
internet access in relatively
remote locations such as
Mrauk U.
However, with tightly
squeezed bandwidth,
blocked sites and power
outages it can often be a
frustrating and ultimately
fruitless exercise to send
and receive emails or checkvarious sites. Also, in March
2011, Skype and other VoIP
(Voice over Internet Proto-
col) calls were banned by the
authorities at internet cafes.
Ingenious locals have
come up with ways around
government censorship of
sites: typing https://before a
site URL can sometimes give
you access. However, pro-
ceed cautiously as internet
shop owners can get into big
trouble if they’re found to be
allowing access to prohibited
sites.
There’s no censorship (so
far) of Facebook or gmail, so
set up one of these accounts
if you want to stay in contact
with the outside world while
travelling in the country.Legal Matters
You have absolutely no legal
recourse in case of arrest or
detainment by the authori-
ties, regardless of the charge.
Foreign visitors engaging in
political activism risk depor-
tation or imprisonment. If
you are arrested, you would
most likely be permitted to
contact your consular agent
in Myanmar for possible
assistance.
If you purchase gems or
jewellery from persons or
shops that are not licensed
by the government, you run
the risk of having them con-
fi scated if customs offi cials
fi nd them in your baggage
when you’re exiting the
country.
Journalists often claim a
diff erent profession in order
to get a visa, and they risk
deportation if authorities
suspect that they’re re-
searching a political exposé
while in the country.
Forming public assemblies
is illegal. Drug traffi cking
crimes are punishable by
death.
Many foreigners (like
Jonathan Rambo in a certain
eponymous fi lm) foolishly
enter Myanmar illegally from
northern Thailand, but not all
succeed in avoiding arrest.