1. 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 & JHSPH @ AIDS 2014 Melbourne, 23 July 2014

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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

10. Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. Select references Godwin, J. 2010. 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. -------. 2013. “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. 2013. “New Kids on the Block: Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity in Southeast Asia,” Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal 14: 2, pp. 118-131. -------. 2013. “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.156-165.

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

12. Equity. Dignity. Social Justice. DEDE OETOMO Chair dedeo@apcom.org +62811311743; 0470-241904 APCOM.org @APCOM STAY CONNECTED