ASEAN SOGIE Caucus
Inclusive and diverse ASEAN
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus
Inclusive and diverse ASEAN
Inclusive and diverse ASEAN
Inclusive and diverse ASEAN
From 22 to 23 September 2025, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC), by Riska Carolina, ASC’s Advocacy Officer took part in the AICHR Regional Consultation on Enhancing ASEAN’s Human Rights Mechanisms, held in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Organized by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), this consultation was convened under the framework of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. It gathered governments, human rights institutions, and civil society organizations to reflect on the state of ASEAN’s human rights mechanisms and to discuss concrete ways to strengthen them for the years ahead.
Women’s March Jakarta (WMJ) is one of Indonesia’s largest feminist mobilizations. The 2025 Manifesto calls for ecological justice, bodily autonomy, and inclusive democracy. Download the manifesto in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
In Southeast Asia and globally, communities are increasingly besought by great anxieties about the future and real risks to their health and safety. For individuals and organizations who work tirelessly for the promotion and protection of the rights of our communities, these risks are often even greater. Without the right kinds of support, both the short-term and long-term impacts of this tireless work can easily lead to sickness and burnout -- and when those who promote and protect our rights are down, the futures of everyone become even more anxious.
On the night of June 22, 2025, Indonesian police in collaboration with unidentified vigilante groups raided a private villa in Megamendung, Puncak, West Java, where a community-organized event titled “Big Star Got Talent” was taking place. The event featured performances such as singing, dancing, and fashion shows which are common forms of social and artistic expression. Yet, because the participants were mostly known as mostly identified as Gay, Bisexual, or Queer men (GBQ), the gathering was swiftly framed by state actors and media outlets as a so-called “gay sex party.”
Written by Riska Carolina
On May 23, 2025, human rights advocates, ASEAN institutional representatives, and UN agencies gathered for a timely and urgent roundtable to discuss strategies for integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and LGBTQIA+ issues into ASEAN’s human rights frameworks. Convened by Justice for Sisters and supported by ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC), the dialogue spotlighted pathways for institutional change, cross-sectoral collaboration, and regional solidarity in the face of persistent challenges.
Written by Sol De Castro, SEAQCF Event Coordinator
BAGUIO CITY, PHILIPPINES — As Pride Month unfolds, so do the stories on screen. Nestled where the mountains meet the clouds, Baguio City—known for its vibrant arts scene and progressive spirit—hosted the first-ever Baguio Pride Expo 2025 on June 14–15. The weekend-long celebration spotlighted queer history, art, and conversations with voices from across the LGBTQIA+ movement in the Philippines.
In the ongoing fight for equality and human rights, LGBTQIA+ activists often stand on the front lines, dedicating their lives to advocating for their community. However, this crucial work comes with significant mental health challenges that are often overlooked. The emotional labor involved in educating others, challenging systemic injustice, and bearing witness to the struggles of their community can lead to burnout, vicarious trauma, and profound emotional distress. As we continue to push for a more inclusive world, recognizing and addressing the mental well-being of LGBT activists is paramount for both their individual health and the sustainability of the movement.
Written by: Riska Carolina, Advocacy Officer, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus
At the end of May 2025, the sound of boomboxes and footsteps of participants filled the late afternoon in Kampung Duri. The narrow streets and alleys that once silently witnessed the struggles of the transwomen community are now alive again. The sound were not because of evictions or dispersals, but because of the Jali-Jali Soleram 2.0, an event that is part of the commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT). Anchored on the theme "The Power of Communities", the event brought closer the stories to the communities being both a site of empowerment and resistance.
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
