Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Priorities, experiences and the role of community-led responses in responding to stigma in Asia Satellite on Stigma Research and Prevention 2.0: Stepping Up the Pace for Evidence-Based Stigma-Reduction Interventions for HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care Organized by RTI International, NIMH & AIDS 2014 Melbourne, 23 July 2014

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Sources of stigma 1. Punitive laws that criminalize same-sex sexual activity and/or cross-dressing 2. Cultural & religious values 3. (1) & (2) are often interlinked in practice

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Current conditions (1) Sex between men remain illegal in: –10 South & Southeast Asian countries Police abuses against MSM & transgender persons still occurring, on these grounds: –legal situation –cultural & religious background –corruption Discriminatory practices in many aspects

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Current conditions (2) Heteronormativity & homophobia in cultural values => pressure to marry heterosexually & form family Swing to conservative, intolerant views in cultural & religious discursive practice Gender-based violence

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Change & Progress (1) Reading down of Sec. 377 of Indian Penal Code  precedent for other countries? –however, revoked by Supreme Court –e.g. challenge of Singapore’s version Cities in the Philippines introducing laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of SOGI  local attempts Same age of consent for homo- and heterosexual sex in Cambodia

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Change & Progress (2) Civil partnership bill in Thai Parliament Recognition of same-sex relationships in Vietnam Same-sex marriage bill in Nepal & Taiwan

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Change & Progress (3) HIV & AIDS programs providing space –e.g. MSM program managers in pilot districts in Indonesia –stronger emphasis of human rights in HIV & AIDS programs Media & education fostering more liberal attitudes

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. What is to be done? (1) International, regional, subregional –UN HR Council UPR –UN ICCPR & ICESCR Review –Yogyakarta Principles –APF –ASEAN SOGI Caucus –International NGOs: APCOM, APTN, IGLHRC, ILGA, HR Watch, Amnesty etc. –Being LGBT in Asia (UNDP, USAID…) –OIC?

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. What is to be done? (2) National & local –legal & policy reform: NHRI –human rights based approach –knowledge production  media & education –interface with culture & religion

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Select references Godwin, J Legal Environments, Human Rights and HIV Responses Among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender People in Asia and the Pacific: An Agenda for Action. Bangkok: UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre “From Punishment to Empowerment: Sexuality and Gender Identity Laws in Asia and the Pacific,” HIV Australia 11: 4 (Special ICAAP11 ed.), p. 8. Oetomo, D “New Kids on the Block: Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity in Southeast Asia,” Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal 14: 2, pp “Reclaiming Our Past, Constructing Our Future: The Struggle for LGBTIQ Rights in Asia and the Pacific.” In A. Kambodji et al., HIV and Inclusive Community: Asian Theological and Biblical Perspectives (Chiang Mai: Christian Conference of Asia), pp

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Thank you! ขอบคุณ Vinaka 谢谢 धन्यवाद Cám ơnFa'afetai Terima Kasih 감사합니다 शुक्रीया ありがとう شکریہ

Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. DEDE OETOMO Chair ; STAY CONNECTED