ASEAN SOGIE Caucus
Inclusive and diverse ASEAN
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus
Inclusive and diverse ASEAN
Inclusive and diverse ASEAN
Inclusive and diverse ASEAN
Thailand pushes for equal rights in the 2nd Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review. LGBTIQ groups in Thailand, led by the Togetherness for Equality and Action Group (TEA Group) have submitted a UPR report detailing the lack of specific provisions in national law that would help LGBTIQs gain a more participative, non-discriminatory position in the Thai community.
The submitted UPR report includes 7 areas of concern: Employment, Health, Family, Intersectionality, School and Education, Media and Publications, and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs). The running theme of the report is to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). The analysis and recommendations submitted by Thai LGBTIQ groups are included in this post for further reference and awareness-building.
Twelve transgender women were arrested and detained this Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Chulia Street, Penang. The women were put under investigation for various charges, five people being held under investigation for gang robbery, and the other six being charged with violation of Section 28 of the 1996 Syariah Criminal Enactment (wherein biological males are prohibited from dressing up with feminine clothing). The last of the women is from Indonesia, and is charged with the violation of her Social Visit pass.
A regional milestone on the promotion of LGBTIQ rights is being achieved this February 16 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. CamASEAN, with support from other LGBTIQ and human rights organizations such as UN Women, Asia Pacific Transgender Network, and ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, is holding a national dialogue to help make transgender rights visible in policies and local discourse.
On Human Rights Day last year (December 10, 2015), LGBTIQ organizations from all over the world met up at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to communicate regional concerns and issues regarding human rights and policies. This event, organized by Outright Action International, aims to give the experiences of LGBTIQ persons from different regions their much-needed visibility in the global front.
Each representative were given two minutes to deliver a statement about their issues and recommendations. ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC) was sent to represent the ASEAN region. Ryan Silverio, the Regional Coordinator of ASC, presented the statement to Ambassador Samantha Power, the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Transgender people in Vietnam will be recognized under the law and have all relevant rights to their new gender, according to the Amended Civil Code passed by lawmakers on Tuesday.
Earlier on the same day, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee submitted a report on the issue, saying that gender reassignment should be allowed to "meet the demand of a group of citizens.”
Source: thanhniennews.com
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Asia (ILGA Asia) conference held recently in Taipei, Taiwan served as a space for activists to raise critical issues affecting the movement. Several presentations and workshops emphasized that LGBTIQ issues have to be addressed in a broader context of poverty, disability, migration, democratization, disasters and armed conflicts.
“We cannot talk about LGBTIQ rights in isolation. Given the complex lived experiences of LGBTIQ persons in Asia, we need to take intersectionality seriously,” according to Ryan Silverio, Regional Coordinator of ASEAN SOGIE Caucus.
Intersectionality was a running theme throughout the ILGA Asia conference.
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC) was invited to be part of Pyi Gyi Khin’s study visit to the Philippines. We were able to share our experiences in global and regional advocacy and in building a movement of LBTIQ activists.
Ging Cristobal, ASC core member, discussed entry points for advocacy within the United Nations. She stressed that engaging the human rights mechanism requires systematic monitoring and documentation of human rights violations.
(ASC shares the full text of the statement of Myanmar LGBT Rights Network in response to the homophobic and transphobic actions of government officials from Mandalay Region. You may also download the statement here.)
Inclusive and diverse ASEAN
Legally Registered in the Philippines as Southeast Asia Sexual Orientation,
Gender Identity and Expression Caucus (ASC), Inc. The organization is in
Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC since 2021.
Quezon City, Philippines
Email: communications@aseansogiecaucus.org
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus © 2025
