For the most part Lao culture is very tol­erant of homosexuality, although lesbian-ism is often either denied completely ('Lao women don't do that, why would they?" men have been heard to say) or misunderstood. The gay and lesbian scene is not nearly as   [prominent as in neighboring Thailand, though it's progressively more open. Strictly speaking, homosexuality is illegal, though we haven't heard of police busting anyone in recent years. In any case, public displays of affection-whether heterosexual or ho­mosexual-are frowned upon.