We've placed cookies on your device to improve your browsing experience. They're safe and don't contain sensitive information. If you want, you can change your cookies through your browser settings. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume you're ok to receive all cookies on the APTN website. For more information view our privacy policy.
Global COVID-19 Research Initiative on SOGI – Together with 20 LGBTQ+ organisations, the collective has launched a research initiative to uncover how #COVID19 has impacted #LGBTI+ communities worldwide.
As we hear from our members in India, Thailand, Indonesia and beyond, we learn that responses to the pandemic are not inclusive of LGBTI+ people which lead to growing issues including lower access to healthcare and increased poverty.
To change this, we need research and data about the experiences of LGBTI+ people to lead to effective policies and responses from governments and human rights organisations. You can play your part and make your voice count and share to your networks!
We’re pleased to inform you that, until the end of November, you can access French, Portuguese, and Spanish versions of the survey. Head to the website https://gcri-sogi.org/survey and click the survey link there. On the landing page, you will be asked to select your language, where you can choose from any of the available languages.
🔗 Take the survey now: gcri-sogi.org/survey.
P.S. this survey takes about half an hour to complete, but may take longer for some people. If you are an independent activist or representative of an organisation and don’t have much time to spare, you can choose to respond to the survey only in this capacity. While we are happy to hear about your experiences as an LGBTQ+ identified individual, we recognise that responding in both capacities takes longer. You can also pause the survey and return to it at another time once you continue the survey in the same browser.
5 Reasons to Take The Survey!
Today, let us inform you the 5 reasons why you should take the survey!We’re starting off the Top 5 Reasons to take the survey with reason number 1: it was designed by us, for us!Did you know that our survey targets individuals, activists/advocates, and representatives of organisations? But what’s really special is that the data will allow us to isolate advocates/activists to learn more about their unique experiences.The funding environment is already competitive enough without the pandemic, but we’ve already learnt about shifts away from issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. We want to hear more from you about what you’ve observed.Filling out surveys as a representative of a movement or organisation can feel a bit robotic, right? That’s why we want to know more about your wellbeing as well. And it’s optional, so you don’t have to share if you don’t want to.Data doesn’t have meaning until it gets turned into information that gets used to make an impact. That’s the goal! We want to hear from you to learn how we can better serve our communities’ needs.What would you like to see being done with the results of the survey? But before we get results, we need the data! Remember to like and share the campaign. If you’ve got a few extra moments, you can also take the survey at http://gcri-sogi.org/survey or share it with your networks!
Trans Awareness Week creates an opportunity for the trans and gender diverse community members and allies to promote education, advocacy, activism and bring visibility to the community to help address the challenges that the communities and movements are facing.
For this year’s Transgender Awareness Week, we want to share some of our communities in the region.
How can you help these communities? Here are some suggestions: – Learn more about their organization and challenges – Understand their work and activities – Connect and support to help increase their impact
INDIA Basera Samajik Sansthan Basera Samajik Sansthan is a community-based organization registered number 914 under Uttar Pradesh NGO Registry ACT. Founded in 2006, Basera Samajik Sansthan is a non-governmental organization operating its intervention in Delhi NCR and Noida to support sustained responses to HIV in India that protect rights and improve health. Learn more Facebook: facebook.com/BaseraSamajikSansthan Website: baserasamajiksansthan.org
NEPAL Unity for Change (UFC) UFC is the transgender men-led organization in Nepal that works for Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgender people, especially for Transgender men. UFC aims to empower LBT youths economically; educate them on SRHR; establish the human rights of LGBTIQ people in Nepal. Learn more Facebook: facebook.com/lgbtiqgroup
VIETNAM It’s T Time (ITT) ITT is an independent trans-led organization exclusively for transgender persons in Vietnam. ITT aims to assist fellow transgender and gender diverse people to claim their safe spaces to amplify their voices. Learn more Facebook: facebook.com/ITSTTIMEVN Instagram: @itsttimevn
INDONESIA Sanggar Swara Sanggar Swara is an organization that empowers young trans women in Indonesia to get a better education. They create community empowerment through various capacity-building events in the perspective of trans rights, gender equality, and gender diversity. Learn more Website: sanggarswara.org Instagram: @transchoolswara
SINGAPORE Oogachaga Oogachaga is a community-based, non-profit professional organisation, working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer & gender-diverse (LGBTQ+) individuals, couples & families in Singapore since 1999.
FIJI Haus of Khameleon Haus of Khameleon is a movement that is led by young transgender women who are lobbying, campaigning, organizing, researching, training and advocating for trans equality.
SRI LANKA Venasa Transgender Venasa Transgender is a non-profit organization based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, that advocates and works for the rights and betterment of the transgender commiunity in Sri Lanka.
PHILIPPINES LakanBini Advocates Pilipinas, Inc. LakanBini Advocates Pilipinas, Inc is a community of transgender advocates that serves as a voice for trans led advocacy on equality and access to health and well-being and human rights services.
MALAYSIA SEED Foundation Malaysia SEED or Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Persekitaran Positif Malaysia is the first Trans-led community based organization in Malaysia. Officially registered in 2014, SEED was created to ensure the availability of support services for marginalized communities, especially the Transgender community.
THAILAND SISTERS Foundation SISTERS Foundation is a center for the transgender community, located in Pattaya. Their main programs include a drop-in center and outreach activities. SISTERS provides on site medical services, one to one counseling and skills development, as well as club activities such as make-up, sports and cooking.
Learn more Facebook: facebook.com/sistersfoundationTH
MONGOLIA LGBT Centre Mongolia LGBT Centre Mongolia works to advocate the rights of LGBTQIA+ in Mongolia, their successful policy advocacy strategy led to the outlawing of discrimination as a criminal offence under the new Criminal Code of 2015, prohibition of discrimination in crucial health sector laws and proposed new Labour Law, with protected grounds including sexual orientation, gender identity and health status.
Learn more Website: lgbtcentre.mn Instagram: @lgbtcentre.mongolia
LAOS CHIAs Laos Community Health and Inclusion Association ( CHIAs) is community led for Health, Rights and Gender of Key Vulnerable Population and People Living with Diseases in Lao PDR.
Learn more Facebook: facebook.com/chiaslaoscso.org
NEPAL Blue Diamond Society The Blue Diamond Society is an LGBT rights organization in Nepal. It was established in 2001 to advocate for change in the existing laws against homosexuality and to advocate for the rights of Nepal’s marginalized gay, transgender and other sexual minority communities.
TIMOR LESTE Fundasaun CODIVA Fundasaun CODIVA is a national network for the MSM and TG CBOs throughout Timor Leste. Their objective is to strengthen and mobilize CBO and community, develop and protect safe space between community with other institution, related to health, law and human rights of sexual orientation, and coordinate communication and advocacy for LGBT community to achieve sustainable health related services
THE PACIFIC Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN) Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network is a regional network of Pacific Islanders of diverse non-heteronormative sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in the Pacific (PIDSOGIE). The PSGDN’s missions includes advocating for resourced and sustainable LGBTI community organisations at country level, increased political commitment to PIDSOGIE, and the reform of discriminatory laws and government policies.
TONGA The Tonga Leitis’ Association (TLA) The Tonga Leitis’ Association is an advocacy and education organisation in Tonga, and is the only organisation in the country dedicated to LGBTQ+ issues. In 2016 the association campaigned for greater legal protections for LGBTQ+ Tongans. The association runs a safe house, called ‘Ofa he Paea’, for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Tonga who have been forced away from their homes by homophobia and transphobia.
