Message from ASC Chairperson
The year 2024 proved to be a particularly challenging time for civil society organizations, especially those working on LGBTQIAN+ rights. The global spread of anti-gender ideology has increasingly taken root, contributing to democratic backsliding in numerous countries. This has been reflected in the rise of anti-LGBTQIAN+ legislation, the rollback of previously progressive laws, and the withdrawal of crucial funding for LGBTQIAN+ advocacy and programs. We experienced the impact firsthand, witnessing organizations suffer immensely—some were forced to lay off staff, scale back projects, or, in the most difficult cases, shut down entirely.
ASC was not spared from these challenges. We felt the impact deeply, but we persevered and continued our work despite the uncertainty and adversity of these times. I’m proud to share that, despite these challenges, we successfully accomplished the following: creating a space for regional advocacy through the ASEAN Queer Advocacy Week, convening the ASEAN Queer Leadership Week being a space for cross-movement leadership, and widening the space for creative forms of activism through our Southeast Asia Queer Cultural Festival.
This is not to overlook the fact that our work in Southeast Asia has never been easy since 2011, when ASC was founded. Despite persistent efforts, ASEAN member states have consistently denied ASC formal accreditation to engage with ASEAN processes. In contrast, ASC was granted consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), making it one of the few LGBTIQ non-governmental organizations recognized to participate in formal UN deliberations.
We continue our work across hostile ASEAN member states, striving to ensure the equitable inclusion of gender-diverse organizations and individuals. At the same time, we remain committed to an intersectional approach, actively partnering with human rights, women’s rights, and other sectoral organizations to advance shared goals. The fight for inclusion and equality has never been more challenging. Since our inception, we have persisted in advocating for LGBTIQ rights despite increasingly difficult conditions—and we see no reason to stop now. Even as doors are slammed shut, we continue searching for the smallest gaps where light still shines through. And we will keep breaking down walls until more light can reach us all.
We invite you to join us in breaking down these walls. We hope the work we’ve accomplished this year inspires you, knowing that none of it came easy. But together, we can go further—and achieve even more. Let’s break more walls together!
Ging Cristobal, Chairperson, Board of Trustees
