Targeted Identities: Online Harassment of LGBTQ Individuals in Myanmar

As social media use in Myanmar has surged, so has online harassment—particularly targeting LGBTQ individuals. This study examines how increased digital access, especially on platforms like Facebook, has opened both opportunities and dangers for Myanmar’s LGBTQ community, who face hate speech, harassment, and exclusion in online spaces.

The research highlights how cultural norms, religious beliefs, low gender awareness, and weak legal protections have created a digital environment where abuse is common and often tolerated. Victims report serious mental health impacts, damaged social ties, and lost professional opportunities. The lack of accountability only deepens the harm.

The study calls for comprehensive action to support LGBTQ individuals online, including stronger legal protections, inclusive digital policies, and accessible mental health resources. Without these, online spaces will remain as unsafe as many real-world ones for Myanmar’s LGBTQ communities.

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This study is part of the Myanmar Digital Research series published by Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) with support from International Development Research Centre and The SecDev Foundation.