Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

A6
Naming Stigma and Discrimination
toward Men who Have Sex with Men
through Case Studies
Case Study A: Tola (Neighbors and School)
Tola is 28, married, and a father of two children. He has developed good relations
with his friends and neighbors. He is a teacher. Although he is married, Tola some
times has sex with men. His family does not know about his sexual orientation.
However, some people in his neighborhood have been suspicious of him. One
day his family heard a rumor that Tola was seen with a group of MSM. Since
then he has faced rejection and threats in the neighborhood and at school. The
school principal asked him to resign, saying he would corrupt his students with his
“disgusting behavior.” He also had to leave the neighborhood because of the
threats from neighbors.
Case Study B: Sokhem (Police)
Sokhem is 30 and a short hair MSM. One day, when returning late at night, he
was raped by a group of men. His friends told him that he had brought the rape
on himself by coming home late and that he should keep silent about it. Sokhem
felt very angry and went to the police station to report the case. The police refused
to do anything. They said,“You katooey are always causing problems. And any
way, men cannot be raped. You are just wasting our time!”
Case Study C: Sothy (Workplace)
Sothy was interviewed for a job in supermarket. At the time no one recognized that
he was MSM. For the interview he dressed like a “real man” with a tie, and was
given the job. A few days later he was asked to resign. He went to ask the boss
why he was being fired. The boss said, “I don’t want katooey to work here.” He
said it the decision had been made by senior managers. Sothy was devastated
and didn’t try to find work for six months.
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