Burmese LGBTQ groups join protest march against military coup

Members of Myanmar's LGBTQ community joined a protest march in Yangon, Myanmar, on Friday (Feb 19) amid anger at the military coup.

Members of Myanmar's LGBTQ community joined a protest march in Yangon, Myanmar, on Friday (Feb 19) amid anger at the military coup.

Footage shows the colourful scenes as large crowds gathered in the centre of the city holding banners showing their support for ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Many of the supporters wore makeup and colourful dresses as well as rainbow flags, a symbol of the LGBTQ movement, an extravagant contrast to the Qstrait-laced no-nonsense military presence.

The rally came a day after a mass protest where thousands of drivers blocked roads as part of the Civil Disobedience Movement' attempt to cripple infrastructure and force army chiefs to back down, after they seized power on February 1.

One protester said: 'People have realised that the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) is the only way to defeat the military government.'

Protests have erupted across Myanmar following the brutal military coup on February 1, which saw Aung Sang Suu Kyi detained alongside other civilian politicians.