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RFSL – the Swedish Federation for LGBTQI Rights is launching the call for applications for the third cycle of the Rainbow Advocacy Program (RAP) 2021 – 2022. RAP is a 13-month-long fellowship for LGBTIQ+ activists from the Global South and East to learn, network, collaborate, and gain hands-on experience in UN advocacy.
The program is visionary as well as unique in its approach as it combines both the human rights and the development frameworks, with the latter focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030. The fellows will have the opportunity to put into practice their knowledge by engaging with UN mechanisms in Geneva (HRC) and New York (HLPF), as well as by developing and implementing a funded 8-month-long advocacy project. In addition, fellows will be matched with a mentor for expert support throughout the fellowship and project implementation. LGBTIQ+ activists who have basic knowledge about international human rights mechanisms, have 1-3 years of advocacy experience, and belong to an LGBTIQ organization are the primary target groups for this program.
Please visit the call page for more information and to see if you are eligible by clicking the button below:
The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights (RFSL) is a non-profit organization founded in 1950. RFSL’s goal is that LGBTQI people should have the same rights, possibilities and obligations as everybody else in society. RFSL (the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex rights) works locally, nationally and internationally and is an ever growing organisation with about 7 000 members and 36 branches all over Sweden. RFSL runs many different activities and projects
On this Valentines day, we are excited to share our resource for trans and gender diverse folks that attempts to answer frequently asked questions about dating, sexuality and pleasure. Bonus: it also comes with some helpful tips on sexual and reproductive health! Happy Valentine’s Day!
This resource is divided into three main sections. In the first section, we discuss and unpack the terminologies frequently used in this factsheet. In the second section, we have curated tips for safe and pleasurable sex. Finally, in the third section, we have compiled information to answer commonly asked questions about reproductive health of transgender and gender diverse persons and their fertility choices.
Be/Longings is a virtual festival that reclaims, reimagines, and insists on LGBTIQ belonging in Southeast Asia. It features 30+ works and performances by 40+ queer activists, artists and allies from the region that can be experienced in various online platforms.
The festival theme, ‘Be/Longings’, is a play on the words, “being”, “longings”, and “belonging”. “Being” represents the full complexity and diversity of our identities as LGBTIQ people living in Southeast Asia. “Longing”, which translates to kerinduan in Bahasa Indonesia or Bahasa Melayu, and pangungulila in Filipino, represents our yearnings and dreams for a region that is genuinely caring, inclusive, and respectful of diversity. “Belonging” asserts that LGBTIQ people have always been part of the collective memories of the Southeast Asian community — way before the creation of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member States.
This festival is a collective effort among LGBTIQ people in the region to challenge our exclusion, invisiblization, and persecution by governments and other institutions, and to reimagine an inclusive Southeast Asian community.
The festival also functions as a political space to foster alternative regionalism. This refers to a collaborative process of holding accountable regional institutions (e.g. ASEAN) through people-oriented approaches within and outside State territories and functions. It involves strengthening the political leverage of transnational civil society and social movements to counter hegemonic regional governance arrangements that exclude marginalized groups. Activities may include learning programs based on grassroots needs, developing new paradigms for regional engagement, and building solidarity among civil society groups across boundaries.
In the context of this project, the festival aim to bring together both historical and contemporary narratives of LGBTIQ inclusion derived from experiences in different Southeast Asian countries, and collaboratively weave and shape a transformative discourse: a collective memory of an inclusive Southeast Asia.
The virtual festival will go live on February 13-March 13, 2021.
You can watch the livestream recording of the opening night here:
SEAQCF is being organized by ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC), a network of human rights activists from Southeast Asia. The ASC works for the inclusion of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in the mandate of human rights duty bearers in the ASEAN region. The ASC works for the promotion and protection of the human rights of all persons regardless of SOGIESC in the Southeast Asian region.
Being LGBTI in Asia and the Pacific is a regional programme aimed at addressing inequality, violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status, and promotes universal access to health and social services. It is a collaboration between governments, civil society, regional institutions and other stakeholders to advance the social inclusion of LGBTI people.
UNDP is the UN’s global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP’s vision is to support countries in achieving the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion.
In this context, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub invites civil society organizations, networks and community-based organizations in the region to submit grant proposals relating to one of the following four thematic areas:
Please visit the call page for more information and to see if you are eligible here.
This initiative is supported by Being LGBTI in Asia and the Pacific – a regional programme aimed at addressing inequality, violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status, and promotes universal access to health and social services. It is a collaboration between governments, civil society, regional institutions and other stakeholders to advance the social inclusion of LGBTI people. The programme is supported by UNDP, the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality (Malta), the Government of Canada and Faith in Love Foundation (Hong Kong).
UNDP is the UN’s global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP’s vision is to support countries in achieving the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion.
Mama Cash will open the window for grant applications supporting ambitious feminist and women’s girl’s, trans and intersex people’s rights organisations and initiatives led by and for women, girls, trans, and intersex people from anywhere in the world.
Mama Cash will receive Letters of Interest from applicants who are not current grantee-partners from 1 March – 31 March 2021, 11:59 pm CEST*.
Groups that apply during this grantmaking window will receive a response from Mama Cash by 1 July 2021.
Mama Cash is a fund with limited resources. Every year, more groups apply for funding than they can fund. This also means, unfortunately, that they still have to decline many groups that they could fund because they meet our criteria. In 2020, they received 909 funding requests of which they could approve 11 new grants (1.2% of all requests) and in 2019, they received 1303 funding requests of which they could approve 15 new grants (1.15% of all requests). In 2021, they expect to approve a similar percentage of new grants, in addition to the planned renewal grants to current grantee-partners.
The Legal Fellowship Programme was initiated by SAWF IN in 2017 in partnership with Women’s Fund Asia. The year-long fellowship support is aimed at enabling women lawyers hone feminist lawyering and litigation skills, and advocate for women and trans* rights. At the same time, the programme offers opportunities for peer learning, building networks with lawyers from other countries and receiving mentoring support from senior feminist lawyers.
SAWF IN is launching the call for legal fellows against the background of the humanitarian crisis unleashed by COVID 19. The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated social and economic inequalities in all forms. Numerous studies have shown that the effects of COVID have been particularly harsh on women and trans* people. Women’s groups have reported exacerbated incidents of inter spousal abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. For many such women legal recourse for the violations faced by them is highly challenging as they are either unaware of the remedies available or the legal system is highly intimidating and unresponsive to their situation. Further, the high cost of litigation also deters women from seeking the rights granted to them under the law.
Through the fellowship SAWF IN wishes to address the unmet need for litigation support to women who choose to use the legal remedies they are entitled to. The fellowship will support women lawyers practising at district courts to:
Provide free legal aid and support to women and trans* litigants
Build their own skills in feminist lawyering in primary courts, particularly in building constitutional arguments.
Advocate for more gender responsive lawyering at district courts
Lead and participate in actions that directly contribute to realising the rights of women and trans*
2. Fellowship on Economic and Environmental Justice (2021-22)
SAWF IN aims to support women and trans* led interventions on building economic resilience but in a manner that is also ecologically sustainable. In other words, the fellowship seeks to nurture practices and actions that will achieve economic justice outcomes using environmentally robust strategies.
They seek applications from individual women and trans* working independently or as part of collectives, with an innovative intervention which combines achievement of economic justice and improved environmental outcomes. The effort would be to give preference to proposals from regions which are ecologically fragile and in need of supportive interventions inputs leading to economic justice.
South Asia Women Foundation India (SAWF IN) is the only women’s fund in India. We support individuals and organisations working towards the advancement of women and trans* rights in the country.
SAWF IN aims to mobilize resources from a diverse range of supporters – particularly from within India, to advance the rights of women and trans* communities. For SAWF IN, trans* here refers to a wide range of gender identities. Apart from transsexual and transgender, this umbrella term includes but is not restricted to agender, gender fluid and gender non-conforming identities.
SAWF IN are part of the global sisterhood of women’s funds and feminist philanthropic movements.
There have been turbulent times for us this year. We experienced public health measures including flight cancellations, restrictions on movement and border closures. All of these have not only made it difficult for my team at APTN to carry out our work, but have also affected the ability of our partners to reach those most in need. Despite experiencing funding limitations, paused activity and restrictions imposed to contain the pandemic, we turned our hearts and minds to reorganizing our approach. This was to ensure we would reach those who are otherwise unable to receive the support they most need at the time of the pandemic.
While COVID-19 continues to have a huge impact all around the world, affecting everyone’s lives, our community has experienced unique hardships as a result of the pandemic. The APTN COVID-19 Community Support Fund, launched in March, continued to provide grants to community groups and trans human rights defenders across Asia and the Pacific. Beyond this, we worked in numerous ways to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to support our community through this difficult time, through both high-level advocacy and grassroots research. However, this is only one aspect of our network’s efforts in the second half of 2020. We have also been hard at work in many other areas of concern for the trans and gender diverse communities around the region, including advocacy for our rights, sexual and reproductive health and gender-affirming hormone therapy. This pandemic has starkly exposed the vast social, economic and health disparities experienced by trans and gender diverse communities. We must continue to make trans people count, make them visible in government relief programmes and in regional and global spaces. Over the past year, we’ve hosted webinars and published research, factsheets and toolkits. Not surprisingly, in this roundup of our activities for the past six months, you will see that COVID-19 has been a major focus of our work for the trans and gender diverse community, and that COVID-19 has also forced us to rethink the ways in which we collaborate, support and connect with our community and the wider world.
We look forward to the coming year where our resilience is strengthened by stronger collaborations, solidarity and power in the movement.
APTN Team
An Open Letter to the World Health Organization for SOGIESC-inclusive strategies in response to COVID-19
In September, APTN joined forces with 19 other civil society organisations working to advance the rights of LGBTQI communities in Asia and the Pacific, to send an open letter to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO). This letter urged WHO to include aspects of sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in its policies and programmes related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The letter highlighted the wealth of evidence showing how LGBTQI people are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. This included a report from the UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights on the effects of COVID-19 on LGBTQI people and communities, such as interruption of health services and denial of medical care. The letter called on WHO: to ensure that the challenges being faced by diverse SOGIESC communities during the COVID-19 pandemic will be given due attention; to integrate a SOGIESC-inclusive approach in their COVID-19 related guidance documents and reports; and to work closely with LGBTQI organisations and communities towards a more inclusive response to the pandemic.
Universal Periodic Review: A Joint Report on Transgender Issues
In October, APTN collaborated with TransgenderSG and Sayoni to submit a joint stakeholder report to the United Nations, in preparation for Singapore’s third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2021. The UPR consists of an interactive dialogue between the Human Rights Council and member states about steps taken to advance human rights in their respective societies. Information submitted by civil society organisations can then be referenced by any of the states taking part in the review.
This joint submission by TransgenderSG, Sayoni and APTN is the first civil society report from Singapore to focus exclusively on transgender issues. Drawing on data from the first nationwide survey of Singapore’s transgender community, (conducted by TransgenderSG), and a research study (conducted by Sayoni), the submission addresses the following key areas of concern: 1. The difficult process of legal gender recognition (LGR), including the prohibitive cost of required genital surgeries; 2. Discrimination, abuse and restrictions facing transgender students; 3. Discrimination against transgender persons in the employment sector; 4. Discrimination and harassment in healthcare settings that discourage transgender persons from seeking necessary general and transgender healthcare, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health; and limited access to transgender healthcare; 5. Access to marriage, decent housing and shelter; and 6. Violence against transgender or gender non-conforming adults, youths and children including physical, emotional and sexual violence from family members, the public or officials.
The submission also proposes key legislative, policy and programmatic actions to ensure that the human rights, safety and dignity of transgender people in Singapore are upheld by both state and non-state actors.
Stronger Together 2020 Summit – KPRA results findings
In November, Raine Cortes, Senior Project Manager at APTN, participated in the Hội nghị Cộng đồng Lgbtiq Cùng Vươn Xa – Stronger Together Summit 2020 together with nearly 140 participants from civil society organisations and NGOs, the UN family, embassies, the private sector, the health sector and government agencies from across Việt Nam. In a webinar streamed remotely from Bangkok, Raine presented the findings from APTN’s Key Population Research and Advocacy study together with our country partners, Centre for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI). This trans-led Key Population and Advocacy research focused on gaps and challenges trans and gender-diverse people experience while accessing health services, including HIV prevention and treatment services and gender-affirming health care.
The 10th Asia Pacific Conference On Reproductive And Sexual Health And Rights – HIV/AIDS and SRHR in Asia Pacific
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of The 10th Asia Pacific Conference On Reproductive And Sexual Health And Rights – HIV/AIDS and SRHR in Asia Pacific, which was due to be held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from May 26-29. Instead of the in-person conference, the organizers changed the format to a series of 14 virtual events held from June to December, each lasting 90-120 minutes. Each event featured thematic online sessions with plenary speakers and top-ranking abstract presenters.
In November, APTN Human Rights & Advocacy Officer, Samreen, presented at the conference on integrating transgender health into HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights programming in Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.
Trans Resilience Report – Stories of Hope, Pain, and Survival from the Trans Movement During the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 has put everyone under strain, but the trans and gender diverse community has reacted with its signature resilience and solidarity and strong sense of community. In December, APTN published the Trans Resilience Report: Stories of Hope, Pain, and Survival from the Trans Movement During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The report presented data and consultations with 22 organisations across 14 countries, looking at the impact of the APTN COVID-19 Community Support Fund. It revealed some startling facts: Over 88% of people reported reduced income, job loss or forced unpaid leave, while 61% stated that the grant was the only support they had received at that time. One third of respondents reported being the main provider of the household, and 44% reported not having access to basic necessities including hygiene products, hormones, food, shelter and personal protective equipment. The report also looked at how APTN swiftly responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, integrating COVID-19 responses into our strategic framework, and featured first-hand accounts of how COVID-19 has impacted trans and gender diverse people across the region.
Transcending Toolkit: Cultivating Advocates for a Growing Trans Movement
In December, we released the Transcending Toolkit: this easy-to-use guide is for trans and gender diverse community organisations to help them learn about the experiences of their communities across the Asia and Pacific region, and equips them with tools to run their own workshops and meetings. The guide includes “Try it Out” sections with step-by-step instructions, as well as “Journal It” or “Draw It” sections to facilitate reflection upon personal experiences as a trans activist. The toolkit can also be used by non-trans organisations to learn about the experiences of the trans and gender diverse communities and colleagues.
There are a range of negative experiences trans and gender diverse people encounter when trying to access healthcare in a cis-normative society. These negative experiences, both systemic and interpersonal, produce unique stressors that can lead directly to negative health outcomes including poor physical or mental health. They can also be a barrier to utilising healthcare when a previous experience of discrimination leads to future avoidance of accessing services. It is vital to understand the nature, extent and impact of stressors on trans and gender diverse people’s use of healthcare services. Only then, interventions can be implemented to mitigate stressors and improve healthcare access and utilization.
APTN, together with four country partners: GWL INA from Indonesia, the Blue Diamond Society (BDS) from Nepal, the SISTERS Foundation from Thailand, and the Vietnam Transgender Network (VNTG), supported by the Centre for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI), embarked on an ambitious research project, the Key Populations Research & Advocacy Study. The purpose of the study was to document the barriers and gaps in access to HIV and other health services for trans and gender diverse people in these four countries. The research was designed and implemented by trans and gender diverse researchers in each country. Consistent with our community principles of “Nothing about us without us,” this process has built the capacity of trans and gender diverse people to utilise research methodologies and data to collect information for evidence-based advocacy to promote quality,trans-responsive and competent healthcare services. This research aims to bridge the gaps in the availability of trans-specific data. We believe this is the first large-scale trans community-led research, providing essential information into our lived experiences of accessing healthcare services.
COMING IN EARLY 2021
Info Resource on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) for Trans and Gender Diverse People
APTN compiled information and resources on sexual and reproductive health for trans and gender diverse people and communities across the region. What They Don’t Tell You in Sex Ed! A Resource for Trans & Gender Diverse Communities on Sexual and Reproductive Health, aims to answer frequently asked questions and address the unvoiced experiences and anxieties trans and gender diverse people have about their bodies, sexuality, pleasure and relationships, as well as their reproductive health needs. In this way, we aim to empower trans people with knowledge and awareness to fully exercise their bodily rights.
COMING IN EARLY 2021
Info Resources on Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) for Trans Masculine and Trans Feminine Individuals
There are a range of negative experiences trans and gender diverse people encounter when trying to access healthcare in a cis-normative society. These negative experiences, both systemic and interpersonal, produce unique stressors that can lead directly to negative health outcomes including poor physical or mental health. They can also be a barrier to utilising healthcare when a previous experience of discrimination leads to future avoidance of accessing services. It is vital to understand the nature, extent and impact of stressors on trans and gender diverse people’s use of healthcare services. Only then, interventions can be implemented to mitigate stressors and improve healthcare access and utilization.
A virtual regional community and civil society consultation, as part of a broader regional CS Engagement Roadmap, will be co-convened by APCASO/APCRG and GFAN Asia Pacific, and in partnership with regional key populations and CSO networks and platforms: ACT! AP, Regional Malaria CSO Platform, GMS, APN+, APNSW, APTN, ICW AP, ANPUD, YVC, and Youth Lead. The consultation will contribute to the set of objectives outlined in the Engagement Roadmap and aim to support effective community and civil society engagement and input in the strategy development process from the region.
Justice and Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for human rights defenders at risk to participate in the Shelter City initiative around March 2021. The deadline to apply is 10 December 2020 at 23:59 CET (Central European Time). Special conditions apply because of the COVID-19 situation.
Shelter City provides temporary safe and inspiring spaces for human rights defenders at risk where they re-energise, receive tailormade support and engage with allies. The term human rights defender is intended to refer to the broad range of activists, journalists, scholars, writers, artists, political figures, lawyers, civil rights defenders, independent media professionals, civil society members, and others working to advance human rights and democracy around the world in a peaceful manner.
Shelter City offers the human rights defender a shelter for three months, during which they will rest, re-energise, gain new skills, extend their network and raise awareness about the situation in their country. At the end of the programme, participants are expected to return with new tools and energy to carry out their work at home.
From March 2021 onwards, several cities in the Netherlands will receive human rights defenders for a period of three months.
