Day 1, Panel Discussion 1
Facilitator: Joe Wong, Executive Director, APTN
Panelists:
- Thitiyanun Doy Nakpor, Director, Sister Foundations (Thailand)
- Elyn Bhandari, Program Coordinator, Blue Diamond Society (Nepal)
- Avali Kare, Programme Officer, APTN (India)
On the opening day of the fellowship, the first panel brought together trans activists across generations to reflect on the movement’s past, present, and future. Facilitated by Joe Wong, APTN’s Executive Director, the discussion featured Thitiyanun “Doy” Nakpor (SISTER Foundation, Thailand), Elyn Bhandari (Blue Diamond Society, Nepal), and Avali Kare (APTN, India). Together, they explored how intergenerational dialogue sustains and strengthens trans organizing in the Asia-Pacific.
Joe opened with a personal reflection on the role of mentorship in his early activism. Starting out when he joined the movement in his 20s, he has since benefited deeply from wise older leaders and activists, many of which generously shared their protection, nurture, knowledge, and wisdom. He emphasized APTN’s commitment to honoring elders in the movement while supporting younger generations who are reshaping the future. The panelists then shared how their journeys into advocacy were deeply influenced by the challenges, wisdom, and resilience of those before them.
Doy traced the history of Thailand’s SISTER Foundation, one of the region’s first trans-led organizations, noting how the movement evolved from being narrowly HIV-focused to advocating for rights, healthcare access, and data-driven policymaking. She highlighted the community-based “big mama” networks that cared for younger trans women, stressing the importance of collective support and non-hierarchical organizing. Doy also highlighted the involvement of SISTER Foundation in APTN and their Thai Foundation Board to strengthen trans networks, support smaller community organisations and share knowledge across Asia-Pacific. They’ve even helped APTN develop the Transgender Health Blueprint for Asia!
Elyn reflected on entering activism in Nepal during a time when resources and role models for transmasculine people were almost nonexistent. His advocacy grew from witnessing widespread stigma and exclusion, and he stressed that bridging perspectives across generations makes the movement stronger – Younger activists bring new tools and online platforms, while senior activists carry deep-rooted wisdom and history. Despite having different opinions, different generations can come together on common ground with a shared willingness to move the movement forward.
Avali shared how their activism began in the midst of political conservatism in India, where student movements created space for queer and trans resistance. From their experience, many spaces are largely dominated by cisgender individuals, even in movements centering hormone access and sexuality rights. Their work has since led them to focused on making sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) inclusive of trans people, and on expanding the national conversation around chosen families beyond conventional frameworks.
Throughout the discussion, the panelists emphasized the need to honor past struggles while adapting to new challenges. They warned against donor-driven priorities that exclude elder activists, and against a culture of quick judgment that silences voices instead of fostering learning. Sustaining the movement, they argued, requires documenting histories, preserving institutional knowledge, and ensuring that digital organizing complements rather than replaces in-person connections.
The conversation closed with reflections on the values essential for intergenerational collaboration. Doy highlighted shared ownership of the movement, Elyn underscored unity and collective presence, and Avali emphasized care and accountability to ensure accessibility for all.
Together, the panel affirmed that the soul of trans activism lies in how the movement uplifts one another across generations—honoring the past, sustaining the present, and shaping a more inclusive future.
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