ILGA Asia receives 2022 Ardhanareeswara Pride Award
As “an outstanding and publicly recognised organisation that promotes and supports the advancement of LGBTIQ+ human rights,” ILGA Asia has been chosen by the 2022 Ardhanareeswara International and National Award and Recognition on Sexual and Gender Diversity Judging Committee to receive the “Pride Award.”
Now in its fourth year, the Ardhanareeswara Award is given annually by the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand and its Thai government and civil society partners to “nationally and internationally recognise gender diversity frontline defenders.” It takes its name from the Hindu deity whose body is depicted as half-male and half-female.
While it is based in Thailand, ILGA Asia is a network of Asian LGBTIQ groups aiming to advance LGBTIQ human rights in the region. This recognition comes at a crucial time when LGBTIQ movements in Asia are fighting intensifying threats to LGBTIQ rights across the region.
“We dedicate this award to the community we serve across Asia and whose voices we continue to amplify in our collective work,” said Henry Koh, Executive Director of ILGA Asia.
Awardees are selected every year by a judging panel composed of leading LGBTIQ advocates, intellectuals and civil society and government partners from a pool of individuals and organisation nominees. Previous awardees include SISTERS Foundation, a centre for the transgender community in Pattaya, and Bandhu Social Welfare Society, a community-led organisation of gender and sexual minorities in Bangladesh.
“Together with our Thai board members and Bangkok-based colleagues present here; and on behalf of ILGA Asia’s Executive Board and Secretariat, we want to thank and acknowledge the multilateral members of this year’s distinguished judging committee—officials and representatives from the Thai Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, National Human Rights Commission, learned academic members of Thailand’s scholastic community, Rainbow Sky Association and all civil society partners for honouring us with this meaningful recognition,” Henry expressed during their speech while accepting the award.
“We would like to also thank the people and Kingdom of Thailand for graciously hosting us in a welcoming environment and assuring climate — this shows Thailand’s commitment towards achieving equality for all — even in the midst of growing inequalities across the continent. Together, we look forward to working with all of you, our beloved community, towards our common goal and the future we want — a future where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer and all marginalised groups across Asia can love and live freely and equally.”
Henry, along with other members of the staff and the Thai Board of ILGA Foundation (ILGA Asia’s registered legal entity in Thailand), received the award in person on 14 December 2022 at the Thai Ministry of Justice in Bangkok.
