ILGA Asia Statement on IDAHOBIT: TOGETHER: RESISTING, SUPPORTING, HEALING!
In conjunction with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia 2021, ILGA Asia will be commemorating this year’s event with videos telling stories of LGBTI persons around Asia, told by the LGBTI community themselves, and analysis of the situation facing our communities in 16 Asian country reports through our robust engagement with the ever-growing and diverse LGBTI communities in Asia.
This year on May 17, together we resist, support each other and heal from systemic oppression of homophobia, biphobia, intersexism and transphobia. Asia remains at the forefront in the fight against oppressive laws on LGBTI people around the world. As many as 21 countries and territories in Asia still criminalises consensual relations of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Over 16 Asian countries still outlaw the gender expression of transgender and non-binary people. Across Asia, Intersex people are subjected to medically unnecessary surgeries and hormonal treatments.
In the spirit of this meaningful commemoration, over the coming weeks, we are proud excited to amplify the voices of our communities and allies through a series of personal video stories, while aiming to increase the visibility of grassroots LGBTI activists and community-based organisations’ efforts in a series of 16 consultative country reports, the first region-wide research project pioneered by ILGA Asia. Each of these country reports present important updates on the situation of LGBTIQ people in each State, including the progressions made, realities of their struggles, challenges, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with community-led responses on their opportunities moving forward.
Mobilise with us to raise awareness of violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBTI communities in the Asia region, which in turn provides an opportunity to take action and engage in dialogue with the media, policymakers, public opinion, and wider civil society. Your solidarity will make a difference!
ILGA Asia is the Asian Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, representing more than 170 LGBTI organizations in East, South, Southeast, and West Asia, with the administrative office in Bangkok, Thailand.
For media inquiries, please email:
Numan Afifi, ILGA Asia Communications Officer at media@ilgaasia.org.
