Although they are rarely victims of violence, the LGBT community in Laos face discrimination and find it hard to gain employment in government or other high status sectors, leaving many in poorly paid jobs and the sex industry.
Laos is a land-locked mountainous nation where a bloody civil war ended in 1975, thrusting a communist government to power that has kept strict control over the country despite taking some steps towards economic liberalisation.
Homosexuality is widely accepted over the border in Thailand, although it is still taboo in neighbouring Myanmar which held its first gay pride event in May.
