Empowering LGBTQIAN+ Community through Feminist Participatory Action Research: Insights from Scoping Study Launching on Mapping LGBTIQ+ and SOGIESC-Inclusive Studies Using Feminist Participatory Approach in Southeast Asia*
Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) is gaining recognition as a transformative research approach, especially in empowering marginalized communities, including LGBTQIAN+ groups in the ASEAN region. This brief synthesizes the discussions and insights from the recent launch of a scoping study conducted by the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, in collaboration with partners and research collaborators. The study itself explored the application of FPAR, the challenges encountered, and proposed next steps for enhancing its impact.
Discussion and Insights
A total of 35 participants attended this two-hour online event on July 24, 2024. The primary purpose was to launch the Scoping Study on "Mapping LGBTIQ+ and SOCIESC-Inclusive Studies Using a Feminist Participatory Approach in Southeast Asia." Additionally, the event provided a platform for the Southeast Asian LGBTIQ+ community to discuss the significance of the Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) approach, both as a research method and a practice. Participants also had the opportunity to learn from the experiences of ASC's partners in conducting FPAR.
The discussion highlighted that FPAR is a powerful tool for empowering marginalized LGBTQIAN+ communities by amplifying their voices and advocating for their rights through collaborative, informed, and inclusive methodologies. Key challenges identified during the event included language barriers and the need for transparent, ethical research practices to uphold participant confidentiality and ensure data integrity.
In their opening remarks, Ryan Silverio, Executive Director of ASEAN SOGIE Caucus said that LGBTQIA+ communities in Southeast Asia face extensive marginalization through laws that criminalize identities and relationships, such as Section 377A in Brunei, Malaysia, and Myanmar, and Shariah regulations targeting transgender individuals in Indonesia and Malaysia. Anti-pornography and media censorship laws further restrict LGBTQIA+ content and academic exploration. These issues are compounded by economic barriers to education and the dominance of external agendas set by donors and international organizations. Additionally, the emphasis on quantitative data and identity disclosure in research often marginalizes the lived experiences of these communities. In response, Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) offers a more inclusive approach, empowering LGBTQIA+ individuals as co-creators of knowledge. FPAR emphasizes participant-driven methodologies, making research accessible and engaging while generating data that can inform policy changes. This approach supports a more compassionate, open, and flexible research environment, aiding marginalized communities in their pursuit of emancipation.
Dr. Tesa de Vela from Miriam College, a key discussion at the launching emphasized the crucial role of informed advocacy in fostering inclusivity and empowerment through Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR). By introducing standpoint theory, she highlighted the importance of researchers' subjective experiences in shaping the outcomes of their work. This approach recognizes that data is not just a means of describing reality, but a tool for challenging the status quo and demonstrating that existing conditions are unacceptable. FPAR prioritizes action-oriented research practices, focusing on interventions that not only collect data but also seek to disrupt entrenched power dynamics and amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
Dr. de Vela also stressed the importance of creating safe and liberating spaces within the research process. Such spaces allow for reflection, dialogue, and the celebration of diverse experiences, providing a platform for vulnerable and difficult conversations, and the healing of trauma. This environment fosters a constant reflection on whether the research is truly liberating, encouraging participants to move from being subjects of study to active agents of change. FPAR's radical approach transforms individuals from victims into empowered agents, underlining that the end goal is not just action, but the integration of action with ongoing reflection and the development of an inclusive agenda.
Marginalized communities often grapple with feelings of inadequacy and the belief that they lack the right to conduct research. To transition from research that merely extracts information to research that truly empowers, it is crucial for LGBTIQIAN+ community to recognize and embrace their expertise. There is no need for false modesty. Everyone brings valuable skills to the table—whether in documenting experiences, facilitating discussions, formulating pertinent questions, or curating insights for policymakers. LGBTIQIAN+ community already possess the skills needed to drive meaningful change and contribute to the research field effectively. Embracing their own expertise allows them to conduct research that not only reflects their realities but also amplifies their voices and fosters empowerment.
Andi Suraidah, Founding Director of Legal Dignity Malaysia, highlighted how Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) can generate actionable data on the lived experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals in Malaysia navigating the justice system. This approach not only provides valuable insights for policy reform but also empowers vulnerable communities by involving them in the co-creation of knowledge and participatory action. Andi emphasized that the goal of their project was not merely to describe patterns but to empower the community by centering their experiences and fostering meaningful participation.
In the context of Malaysia, where research often marginalizes LGBTQI+ voices, FPAR offers a unique opportunity to localize and validate the diverse experiences of these communities. The process embraces feminist values, with a focus on optimizing inclusivity and well-being for both participants and researchers. Using Open Space Technology, participants were able to determine the topics of the research, making it more relevant and impactful. Andi pointed out that this approach led to more meaningful advocacy pathways, as the data collected directly reflected the community's realities. This was the first instance where many LGBTQI+ individuals, including the Legal Dignity team members, were able to engage in academic research that previously excluded them, marking a significant step toward inclusivity and empowerment.
Scoping Study Findings
The findings of the scoping study were presented by Farah Afriani, the co-researcher of the study. This research was guided by principles developed during an initial Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) learning session, under the guidance of Dr. Tesa. These principles include: asking new questions to explore changing contexts and gain new insights; choosing methods that are appropriate for specific research questions; conducting research for marginalized communities, rather than merely about them; addressing issues of difference and challenging generalized assumptions; focusing on lived experiences by amplifying voices that are often ignored or silenced; being aware of power dynamics and practicing strong reflexivity to account for the relationships between researchers and participants; and aiming for social transformation that prioritizes democratic outcomes over the interests of dominant groups.
FPAR Guiding Principles:
- Asking new questions: an openness to the shifting context and fluid intentions; new questions that give rise to new understandings;
- Choice of methods: appropriateness of a method for a particular question;
- Research for the marginalized: not research about the marginalized;
- Tending to issues of difference: challenging essentialist / generalized notions;
- Focus on lived experiences: listening and access to voices that are traditionally ignored or silenced;
- Awareness of power dynamics and practicing strong reflexivity in the research process: sensitivity to the power relations between the researcher and research collaborators / participants; and
- Social transformation: “...the move towards emancipation… knowledge building does not bend towards dominant interest groups but towards democratic ends.”
Using these guidelines, the study analyzed 36 journals, reports, papers, and documentation from 2012-2022 through a literature review methodology. Of these, 10 were identified as feminist participatory research, while the others fell into the categories of feminist research, collaborative research, and participatory research. Despite the emphasized importance of FPAR by other speakers, the study reveals a relatively small number of LGBTIQ+ and SOGIESC-inclusive research projects employing the FPAR approach in the region. However, the co-researchers noted limitations in the scoping study, including language barriers, as they could only assess research published in Bahasa Indonesia and English. This limitation suggests that there may be additional relevant research in other languages that were not included in the study.
| Participatory | Collaborative | Feminist Research | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 studies | No | No | Yes |
| 15 studies | No | No | No |
| 3 studies | Yes | No | No |
| 3 studies | No | Yes | Yes |
| 10 studies | Yes | No | Yes |
The study offered several recommendations for the broader LGBTQIA+ movement in Southeast Asia. Key recommendations include:
- encouraging LGBTQIA+ organizations, particularly those representing GBQ, transfeminine, and intersex communities, to adopt Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) as a research methodology.
- to address emerging issues in the region, such as SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics) policing and criminalization, the human rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals in shrinking civic spaces, state-sponsored conversion practices and promotion of SOGIE change efforts, the intersection of LGBTQIA+ rights with freedom of religion and belief, and the rise of anti-gender movements.
- It is important to incorporate the 'action' component into FPAR. It recommends that future researchers integrate actionable plans from the outset when designing their research agendas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) emerges as a transformative methodology that redefines research dynamics to empower marginalized communities throughout ASEAN. By embracing collaborative, ethical, and action-oriented approaches, FPAR not only illuminates the diverse lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals but also advocates for meaningful policy changes that foster inclusivity and justice. It shifts the perception of queer individuals from being mere subjects of research to becoming active agents and experts, thereby enhancing their role in the research process.
The discussion concluded with a recommendation for the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus to integrate empathetic storytelling into FPAR discussions and social media content to boost community engagement. Additionally, it was suggested to organize more forums within the Southeast Asian queer community to exchange research practices and experiences, further strengthening the collective impact and relevance of FPAR in advancing LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility.
To know more about the report, download here: https://aseansogiecaucus.org/images/resources/publications/202406-fpar-scoping-study.pdf
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* Prepared by Lini Zurlia, Advocacy Manager and Mario Prajna Pratama, FPAR Project Coordinator at ASEAN SOGIE Caucus