Fighting for LGBT rights in Myanmar with a 'pink pinky'

LGBT activists in Myanmar campaigning to decriminalise same-sex relations are urging thousands of people to paint ir little finger pink as y try to highlight issue ahe of elections later this year.

Although is opening up for LGBT community in conservative country, same-sex relations are still illegal, a legacy of former colonial power Britain.

At "pink pinky" campaign launch on Wednesday -- held ahe of a Pride party in Yangon this weekend expected to attract more than 10,000 people -- rights groups called for ban to be repealed and for an anti-discrimination law to be enacted.

Fronting movement is Myanmar's Miss Universe contestant, who came out publicly as lesbian late last year -- first to do so in event's history.

"We need legal protection, we need legal recognition and we need legal reform," Hla Myat Tun, deputy director of group Colours Rainbow, told AFP.

This year's Pride is country's sixth edition and biggest so far, spanning three weekends and multiple locations across commercial hub, with organisers calling for attendees to show support with ir hands.

country is likely to hold elections in vember and activists have been working closely with counterparts in India, where country's highest court revoked a similar law in 2018.

Hla Myat Tun said victory h huge ramifications for Myanmar too. 

"What are lessons, what things can we learn, what things can we apply here?" Miss Universe beauty queen Swe Zin Htet will on Saturday receive Pride's "Hero" award for an outstanding contribution to LGBT cause.

21-year-old said coming out was t easy but it was right decision, and "so many people" h offered her support.

A prominent suicide of a gay man last year blamed on workplace bullying cast a spotlight on long-marginalised community in Myanmar. 

Im credit: PTI