International Women’s Day Is Not Only a Celebration, It Is a Reminder of the Ongoing Struggle

From the era of colonial domination to the present day, its legacies continue to shape gender and sexual diversity across Southeast Asia. Colonial rule imposed rigid gender binaries and heteronormative systems that erased the rich, diverse, and often more egalitarian gender practices that existed in many Southeast Asian societies long before colonisation. Historically, we recognize gender-diverse and spiritually significant roles such as the babaylan in the Philippines and the bissu in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, who embody sacred forms of gender plurality within their communities.

The ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC) warmly welcomes the landmark ruling of the Philippine Supreme Court Decision — G.R. No. 267469, recognising that same-sex couples who live together may be acknowledged as co-owners of property under Article 148 of the Family Code, through judicial interpretation, where there is proof of actual contribution. This ruling is a progressive and important step in protecting the right to housing and property for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

A Manifesto of LGBTQIA+ Communities Across Southeast Asia

We are LGBTQIA+ organizations, communities, and allies from Southeast Asia. This manifesto is both a call to action and a declaration of existence. It situates queer communities as central actors in addressing the most urgent existential challenge of our time — the climate crisis. We believe our voices must be heard and our realities recognized in the fight for climate justice. 

We, various LGBTQIAN+ civil society organizations, and allies from across Asia express our deepest concern for all communities and families affected by the deadly earthquake that shook Myanmar and neighboring countries in Asia. In this time of global political and economic crisis, we understand that the loss of lives, of property, and its serious impacts on well-being run deep and may have long-term impacts.

The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) is currently reviewing legislative changes related to broadcasting in Indonesia. The Broadcasting Bill^[1] under discussion presents several issues, including the potential for discrimination against women, minority groups based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE), and communities vulnerable to gender-based violence. This bill also has the potential to hinder press freedom and freedom of expression and is ambiguous in its interpretation (rubber articles).

ASEAN SOGIE Caucus joining with all civil society organizations rejecting the Myanmar Junta Representatives’ in the EU-ASEAN Human Rights Policy Dialogue. We also withdrawn from our participation in the interface meeting as our stance is to not engaging with the military junta and refraining from further legitimising them.

ASC issued an oral statement during the UN Human Rights Council interactive dialogue with the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), which took place last September 11, 2023. The statement highlighted the ongoing violence faced by LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders within Myanmar and in countries where they sought exile.

JOINT STATEMENT: ASEAN CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE – ASEAN PEOPLES’ FORUM 2023

Amidst the current crises caused by social, economic, political, and climate crisis in the region and at global levels, more than 800 from a diverse civil society, ethnic minorities and groups, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQIA+, Women, Persons with Disabilities, elderly, faith- based groups, migrant workers, informal workers, trade unions, farmers and fisherfolks, youths, human rights defenders, victims of land conflicts, victims of human right violations and people’s organizations of South East Asia gathered together in in-person and online participants gathered at Atma Jaya University, Jakarta, Indonesia from 1-3 September for the 2023 ACSC/APF, with the theme of ‘Reclaiming safe space, restoring democracy in Southeast Asia.

It has been a month since the Parliament of Uganda adopted the Anti-Homosexuality Bill on March 21, 2023. The said legislation intensifies anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiments in a country by introducing the death penalty, life imprisonment for the “offense of homosexuality”, up to 14 years for attempted homosexuality, and up to 20 years in jail for promoting homosexuality. It now awaits the President’s final approval to become law. This legislation marks the latest in a string setback for the human rights of LGBTQIA+ in Africa, which homosexuality act is illegal in most countries.