On the heels of promising recent developments for LGBT rights, two organisations have said 2015 was a good year for the people they represent, and has given them cause to be optimistic about 2016.

“We are very positive about the attitude of the government to our issues,” said Srun Srorn of LGBT NGO CamAsean Youth Future.

“The Ministry of Education, for instance, is arranging for us to train more than 3,000 teachers on LGBT issues.”

Srorn added that in September, Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith, had invited him and other LGBT representatives to a meeting after they had asked to discuss negative portrayals of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people in the media.

“He was very open and friendly,” said Srorn.

“He suggested we should take part in a televised round table discussion about things concerning us.”

Kanharith also opened an LGBT rights event on December 1, and then on December 12 spoke at the launch of a report by LGBT rights group Micro Rainbow on attitudes towards LGBT people, and promised to write to all media telling them to stop ridiculing the group.

Project coordinator for Micro Rainbow, Rachana Chhoeurng, was equally upbeat.

“I think for the next few years, the LGBT movement in Cambodia is going to receive even more support from the government,” she said.