Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

A6
Naming Stigma and Discrimination
toward Men who Have Sex with Men
through Case Studies
Case Study F: Amara
Amara is the son of a big businessman. During his teenage years his father
discovered that he was MSM and tried to change him. He locked Amara in the
house to prevent him going out and having sex with men; or he sent bodyguards
to follow him and prevent him meeting with men.
After a year of this treatment he confronted Amara and said, “Have you changed?”
Amara told him, “No, I still love men even more!” This made his father angry and
he threw Amara out of the house. He told him, “If you change the way you be
have, you will inherit all my property, but if you continue what you are doing, you
will get nothing!”
Case Study G: Botum and Samnang
At an early age Botum began to feel and act like a girl. His family tried to change
him, but nothing made a difference. At school he was teased. They called him
“sister” and forced him to cut his hair, and eventually he dropped out of school.
He began to have self doubts and to believe that he was not normal. He became
depressed and stopped talking to people. Relations with his family got worse. They
complained that there was something wrong with him, that he couldn’t produce
babies and continue the family name. Eventually they kicked him out of the
house.
Botum got a job in a beauty salon where he met Samnang, a young man from a
poor farming family. They fell in love and decided to stay together. Samnang used to
take Botum home with him for family ceremonies. The neighbors made fun of Botum,
saying, “You now have a katooey in your family.” Samnang felt ashamed and
sorry for Botum.
After a while Samnang’s family grew to respect Botum. They thought he was a
well behaved and responsible person. Samnang decided he wanted to have a
long-term relationship with Botum and told his family. His family said, “It’s okay.
You are big enough to make this decision. We now accept Botum.” The community
also began to change their attitude. They saw Botum as a responsible person having
good relations with everyone, and they stopped using bad words toward him.
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