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
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. 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.
Equity. Dignity. Social Justice.
Thank you!
ขอบคุณ Vinaka
谢谢
धन्यवाद
Cám ơn
Fa'afetai
Terima Kasih 감사합니다
शक्र
ु ीया
ありがとう ‫شکریہ‬
Equity. Dignity. Social Justice.
DEDE OETOMO
Chair
dedeo@apcom.org
+62811311743; 0470-241904
STAY CONNECTED
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