Gender and LGBTIQ+

What happens when gender-based violence is seen not as a series of isolated incidents, but as a deliberate tool of power? Across Southeast Asia, deeply entrenched patriarchal structures and political patronage networks do more than just ignore violence, they often protect the status quo that enables it. 

A women-centered safe space is the foundation of any feminist support system. In the heart of Bangkok, International Women’s Day wasn’t just a date on the calendar; it was a living, breathing practice of sisterhood. 

Music and art have long been a refuge for those most marginalised, and in Southeast Asia they now fuel a new wave of women and queer artists shaping their own resistance. 

In Malaysia, where LGBTIQA+ identities are often pushed into the shadows, speaking out is an act of defiance, pride is not just a celebration - it is a quiet act of resistance. Breaking Silence is a powerful reflection on survival, resistance, and the quiet resistance of community. Through personal reflections and cultural critique, Mitch Yusof blends truth and history into a call for justice - and a future where no one has to hide to be safe. 

From bold parades to quiet acts of resistance, Pride in Southeast Asia reflects diverse local realities and carries layered meanings – from political activism and visibility to celebration and community. 

To understand how Bangkok’s underground queer scene became what it is today, we transport ourselves back in time to explore where it all started in the early 1920s beginning with a beloved genre, Blues.

Thailand’s marriage equality bill, which would legalize and recognize same-sex unions, passed its first reading in the upper house of parliament, a major milestone that could potentially make the country the first in Southeast Asia to do so.

Phuong Phan interviewing Nhung Dinh on her book: "Vagina Talks: Queer and Sexuality Lexicon"

Explore the Vietnam's LGBTIQ rights journey, from historic Article 37's 2015 victory allowing gender change, to challenges and successes. Despite uncertainties, progress continues as the movement forges on, echoing gratitude's lasting impact. A beacon for equality, it inspires a new era of activism, shaping a fairer society.

Valerie Hammond came out as a gay man when she was 17 before realizing that she is a trans woman. In sharing her personal experiences of becoming transgender two years ago, she reflects on the continual social discrimination and lack of legal rights the LGBTQIA+ community in Vietnam still face.

As the COVID-19 pandemic draws to a close, it will leave the vulnerable, especially countless LGBTQIA+ persons, desperate for deliverance and justice. In this regard, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) has become more significant than ever. It calls us to seek those who are scared and traumatized, and lift them from the rubbles.

An abundance of plastic is overwhelming our environment and threatening our health. There is a clear absence of gender-considerate approaches, even though women are significantly discriminated against, due to their increased exposure via household labor, work in the plastics industry, and use of menstrual plastic products. Female-led solutions to recycling and unpacking gender norms can contribute greatly to addressing this issue, though it remains a problem for everyone to deal with.

Most regions in the world have been – to some extent – affected by climate change, and Southeast Asian countries are no exception. Within the group of people who are affected,  recognition needs to be accentuated on the disproportionate impact of climate change along gender lines. It is essential for the region to further enhance their collaborative climate actions to respond to the need of a gender transformational change that will increase women’s resiliency toward the risk of climate change.

Indonesia is among the 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan and South Korea which has officially signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in November 2020. This article explores social and environmental vulnerabilities in the region with a main focus on perspective from Indonesian civil society.

As institutions claimed themselves as concerning with gender equality, we would assume that gender and women’s issues are in the center of its development efforts as shown on the website of ADB, World Bank and AIIB: many women’s and children faces.