LGBTQIA+ people, the community that has faced discrimination from Myanmar society and its timeworn political system over the course of history, have bravely joined the campaigns contributing to the removal of the military dictator since the coup in 2021. Participation of women and LGBTQIA+ people in protests and strikes led by women and LGBTQIA+ people remained active during the movements. (1.7) Peaceful Protests and the Role of Buddhist Monks Religious leaders played an influential role in the vigorous anti-coup protests. On 8 March 2021 Christian clergy and a Roman Catholic nun knelt and begged the police not to open fire at the anti-junta protests. Besides, Buddhist monks play a vital role in promoting justice. Sangha (the community of Buddhist monks) has always been subject to arrests, divided into separations, torture and jailing by the military due to their leading and significant role in Myanmar’s history of counter-coup and democracy. The military arrested Myawady Min Gyi Sayadaw Ashin Ariya Vamsa Bivamsa, Ashin Sobhita (Alinka Kyal) and Shwe Nya Wah Sayadaw in Yangon and Mandalay on 1 February. Ashin Sobhita was sentenced to two years in prison. The military’s initial arrests of anti-coup activists, artists and religious leaders involve detaining Buddhist monks. Following the coup, 61 Buddhist monks were arrested, 11 were sentenced under section 505(a) of the Penal Code and the severest punishment is four years imprisonment. Number of Arrested Buddhist Monks Sentenced Cases Cases under Cases under Section 505(a) Section 505 (a) and Telecommunications Unknown Law’s 66(d) Source – Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) 7