Dear subscriber,
We welcomed this quarter with renewed vigor and determination! 🌈
In this quarter, we have been resolute in our dedication to shedding light on issues that affect our community, and have taken tangible steps toward addressing them by collaborating with like-minded organizations to amplify and protect the voices of our communities. Our engagement bloomed from grass-roots level to the United Nations. This reflected our advocacy has transcended borders and boundaries.
Our partnerships resulted in fruition, sharing the diverse and compelling stories of LGBTIQ+ individuals across Asia. These collaborative endeavors have not only raised awareness but have also produced valuable resources, including policy briefs, webinars, educational dispatches, and joint statements, all designed to advance the rights and well-being of our community.
As we embark on this journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to building strong alliances and fostering synergies with regional initiatives that share our vision. The future holds great promise as we work together to create a more equitable, inclusive, and accepting Asia. We invite you to join us on this journey and explore the remarkable accomplishments of the third quarter in this edition of ILGA Asia's newsletter.
In solidarity,
The ILGA Asia team
India: India could soon become only the second nation in Asia to legalise gay marriage. As the world's fast-growing democracy, it is a hugely significant moment for LGBTQIA+ campaigners.
China: Lu Siwei, a Chinese rights lawyer stripped of his license for handling sensitive cases in China, has been arrested in Laos. Activists and family members are deeply worried about the potential deportation to China, where he could face imprisonment
Malaysia: Malaysia's government says it is banning all Swatch products that contain lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer elements.
Iraq: Iraq’s Media and Communications Commission (CMC) issued new directives to media and social media platforms, ordering them to stop using “homosexuality” when discussing LGBTQ+ people and to instead speak only of “sexual deviancy”.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong's top court has refused to recognise same-sex marriages, but ordered the city to formulate an alternative framework within two years.
#AfghanistanBriefingPaper
Too Many to be Given Safe Passage, Too Few to be Part of Humanitarian Response.
Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, millions, including women, children, internally displaced individuals, and queer people, have endured a daily struggle for survival amid a ruthless regime and dire conditions. This briefing paper sheds light on their collective resilience, highlighting the unspoken suffering endured by queer individuals who face violence, rape, and humiliation. Their plight is not a crisis but a consequence of our neglect. History will judge those who remained silent. Today, we urge you to stand in solidarity with them, be their ally, and raise your fist in this ongoing battle.
#EndConversionTherapyNow
Stop Conversion Therapies in Malaysia.
The issue of conversion therapies targeting LGBTIQ+ individuals has become a growing concern worldwide, and Malaysia is no exception. "Justice for Sisters," a prominent human rights group, conducted groundbreaking research shedding light on the dire impact of these harmful practices.
Together with "Justice for Sisters" we supported their crucial research and drive a campaign for change. The research findings are alarming, revealing the distressing effects of conversion therapies on the mental well-being of those subjected to SOGIE change pressure.
We stand to fight 'Conversion Therapy' Practices in Asia
View our campaign to #BanConversionTherapy: China Indonesia Sri Lanka India Bangladesh
Event
6th Pan Africa ILGA Regional Conference in Mauritius
Our Executive Director, Henry Koh, Strategic Development Director, Dr Khine Su Win, and board members Dr Charbel Maydaa (West Asia Representative and Co-chair) and Charlene Liu (Woman Representative) shared insights on South-South Collaborations and leadership in empowering LGBTIQ+ communities.
Event
2023 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on the Sustainable Development Goals
The Asia cohort of the LGBTI Stakeholder Group attended the historic inaugural LGBTI Stakeholder Group side event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, held during the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals. The event emphasized the importance of human rights and inclusivity in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Event
EuroPride Valetta 2023
ILGA Asia participated at the #Europride2023 LGBTIQ+ Human Rights Conference in Valetta, Malta along with activists from the MENA region. Our Executive Director, Henry Koh, spoke during the Human Rights Conference and shared insights on the role of international organizations to amplify the voices of local activists to address the unique challenges of local communities.
Event
Best Chitsanupong Nithiwana, our Co-Chair & Youth Representative Executive Board Member and Co-Founder of Young Pride Club, representing the voices of the silenced, shares her journey as a Thai transgender human rights defender at the #UNGA. Her call for global unity and action to end discrimination and violence against LGBTI individuals resonates with the promise of the UN LGBTI Core Group’s 15-year commitment.
Pride
Nepal Pride Parade 2023
Witness the vibrant tapestry of Nepali Pride! Blue Diamond Society and Nepal's LGBTIQ community uited for an unforgettable celebration. Here is a preview of what happened during Nepali Pride and Gai Jatra Celebration 2023. We’re excited to meet everyone in Nepal for the 10th ILGA Asia Conference!
International Day
Candy Yun, ILGA Asia’s Bi Representative, shares her powerful perspective on bisexuality and its ever-evolving standards. "Changes in language lead to changes in people’s imaginations. I say this more because I’m an activist, but I’ve often strategically left out the word bisexual in my stories because just by saying I’m gay, people start to think about it, and they want to know. But then I reflect. Giving people more time to be confused and think about it might be an important strategy for us now."
International Day
Non-Binary Awareness Week 2023
We have the privilege of having our Executive Board West Asia Representative, Dr Charbel Maydaa, share insights on the struggles they face and how we can collectively overcome and embrace non-binary individuals. They highlight the importance of acknowledging that challenges still exist within the non-binary community in Asia.
New Staff
We are thrilled to introduce Pukar (he/him) as our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer. With a remarkable dedication spanning several years, Pukar has collaborated with dynamic organizations, placing a strong emphasis on empowering historically marginalized communities, particularly diverse SOGIESC minorities and migrant workers.
New Staff
Introducing our Senior Communications Officer
Introducing Nadine Hassan, ILGA Asia’s Senior Communications Officer. With a Masters in Sustainable Development and experience at UNDP, UN Women, and GIZ, Nadine is a seasoned communications consultant. Passionate about music, writing, and travel, she is driven by a deep commitment to human rights. Nadine excels at crafting compelling messages and engaging with diverse audiences.
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