Narinjara News, 16 June  2022

A case relating to the beating an LGBT (lesbian, gay,bisexual, and transgender) studentin the Bay Bar will be heard for the first time in Sittwe township court on 20June next.

The township court has already issued a notice on 10 June after acceptingthe applicant’s appeal.

“Such cases were never heard in Rakhine courts. This is the first time such a case is accepted forhearing in the State. It should an interesting case to follow,” saida lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Mentionable is that Maung Tun Aung Khine (b) Ma Khine, a second-year LGBTstudent with the major of Law in Sittwe University, was beaten by a youngman on 4 June at the bar.

"On last 4 June, when Iwas atthe bar with my friends in the night hours, Rakhine singer Shin Htwe mocked mefrom behind. In addition to jokes, he kicked my feet and slapped. I felt veryembarrassed. So I have filed the complaint in the township court,” saidthe LGBT student.

 The abuser has been charged by theSittwe township court under sections 323 and 500 of Myanmar penal code for painand defamation.

The Rakhine LGBT community and other social organizations have supported the LGBT student after condemning thephysical abuser.

Narinjara News tried to contact the accused Rakhine singer but he wasunavailable.

The bar owner stated in social media that they would extend possiblesupports in the case.

 Social workers observe that despite refusals in various previous occasionsto accept people from the opposite sex, the overall situation in Rakhine State has lately improved.

(Photo: Many young people were in The Bay bar)