Laos
Lao People's Democratic Republic
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on the situation of homosexuals all over the world may not be completely
accurate or up-to-date. The information is gathered on the Internet and
in other publications. If you have any additional information, corrections,
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Updated 98-12-15
Illegal
Homosexuality is illegal in Laos. It is considered an offence against traditional customs. As late as in the 1980's, there are reports of internment of gays in re-education camps.
Traditional south-east Asian culture, however, often recognized three genders, man, woman, and a bit of both (transvestite/transsexual). This was considered natural and pre-determined from birth. The occurrence of masculine gay men not dressing as transvestites was not as much socially accepted, though. In Laos you will not find open gays like in neighbouring Thailand. This is probably the result of the influence of western (French/European) culture in Laos during the colony era, whereas Thailand stayed independent.
If you have any further information
on the current situation in Laos, please contact
me.
| Age of consent | Male-Female | Male-Male | Female-Female |
| Laos | ? | X | X |
No information on the heterosexual age of consent was found.
Further information on the situation in Laos can be found at:
Utopia: Laos Gay Resources and Travel Tips
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My Travel in Laos - excellent site, lots of private photos and sounds!
| Statistics:
Republic,
Asia
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