Coming out of the shadows

Burma's gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community recently held the second ever Gay Pride festival in Rangoon.

For many years, LGBT people have had to hide their identity, fearing reprisals from the police and discrimination from the public.

Homosexual activity is still illegal in Burma and if caught they could face up to 10 years in prison. Officers from Mandalay's police department allegedly assaulted a group of transgender women last week.

But the LGBT community are slowly coming out of the shadows and the gay pride event is now an annual celebration that pushes for the acknowledgement of LGBT rights.