Life Exhibition Provides Voice to LGBTI Community

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Khmer Times/Nou Sotheavy

Today, an emerging community in Cambodia will show the world their history and place in Cambodian society in one of the biggest collaborations of art, film, interviews, the written word and workshops in the “Rainbow Life Exhibition” at the Old Mansion. The exhibition aims to create spaces for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) communities to express their inspirations, share thoughts and feelings as well as raise awareness and social acceptance within Khmer families and Cambodian society as a whole.

Geared towards a Khmer audience, the various rooms are prepared meticulously and are split into seven parts. One room is full of Khmer and Swedish books with electronic books near smartly placed seats. Alongside it are walls of portraits which people in the LGBTI community can identify with. Further back in the room is a projector showing films in Khmer on the stained walls of the colonial home, symbolically reflecting shadows of the voiceless now dancing in light on the foundation of a historical landmark.

Open to the public, the Old Mansion, in its aging beauty, is now a safe and creative space for the exhibit. One room is full of blank boxes where visitors can write a message or leave their story. A window in the exhibit overlooks a stage where representatives from the Embassy of Sweden and the government will stand together and open the exhibit to the public today.

read more: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/18201/life-exhibition-provides-voice-to-lgbti-community/