A survey of 751 self-identified LGBTI people in Bangladesh has found that more than half of respondents live in constant fear of being outed
A survey of 751 self-identified LGB people in Bangladesh has found that more than half of respondents live in constant fear of being outed, reports Dhaka Tribute.
The survey by LGBT activist group Boys of Bangladesh and magazine Roopbaan (above) is the first of its kind in the predominantly Muslim country.
With responses from eight major cities, the survey also found that many respondents considered their sexual orientation sinful.
Although around 59 percent of respondents said they have never faced discrimination due to their sexual orientation, many of the 25.8 percent of those who had faced anti-gay discrimination said they had either had no knowledge of or no access to legal support.
Survey spokesperson Shakhawat Imam Rajeeb said:
“Sexuality in general needs to be talked about in our country. There is such a wide spectrum of sexuality – we have to be open to different interpretations of it. That can only happen when you bring in different voices from society."
Launched a year ago, Roopban – named after the Bengali folk character Roopbaan, who symbolizes the power of love - is Bangladesh's first LGBT magazine.
