GROUNDBREAKING CONFERENCE SEEKS TO PUT PRIDE IN THE HUMANITARIAN SYSTEM

A first-time-ever conference on improving the inclusion of LGBTIQ people in the Asia Pacific response to conflicts and natural disasters was held in Bangkok last week, with delegates issuing an urgent call to action to the region’s humanitarian sector.

Co-presented by APCOM in partnership with a range of other community partners and international agencies, the 4-day event was called Pride In The Humanitarian System and attracted over 120 LGBTIQ activists and humanitarian advocates from across Asia and the Pacific.

Delegates took a deep dive into how the humanitarian system works and how they can influence it. They also shared both distressing and inspirational stories about how LGBTIQ people in the region have experienced violence and discrimination in the wake of disasters such as floods, earthquakes and tsunamis. Comprehensive plans were developed to address systemic challenges and integrate LGBTIQ issues in human rights mechanisms across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Read more…

APCOM was also proud to co-host a reception for delegates at the Australian Embassy with the support of the Australian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr Paul Robillard. Read more…

APCOM Updates

SOUTH ASIA ADVOCATES MEET IN BANGKOK FOR SAATH SEEKHEIN

Last week we welcomed representatives from our community partners across South Asia who are participating in our Multi-Country South Asia Global Fund HIV Programme, a community systems strengthening initiative aimed at reducing the impact of HIV on gay men and transgender people in South Asia by building the knowledge and skills of local HIV and community health workers. They were here in Bangkok for the Saath Seekhein meeting. The focus was on cross-learning, sharing knowledge and experiences, and creating a roadmap for a shared agenda for South Asia in relation to collaboration and resource mobilization. Participating organisations in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan have been actively exchanging information to develop ideas on partnership, leadership and regional priorities.

TESTXXX PARTNERS MEET IN BANGKOK FOR REGIONAL DIALOGUE

In late May, our TestXXX Regional Dialogue brought to Bangkok eight campaigners from community partners across Asia who are participating in our testXXX programme, a collaboration with various HIV focused community organisations in Asian cities with high HIV prevalence to raise awareness about HIV testing, treatment and prevention among young gay men. Modelled on our testBKK initiative, our testXXX partners use social media, online advertising and event-based initiatives to promote information and content that’s appealing for young MSM. We have collaborations with local partners in Manila (testMNL), Jakarta (testJKT), Yogyakarta (testJOG) and Hong Kong (testHKG) and Ho Chi Minh City (testSGN). The meeting focused on sharing insights, best practices, and hurdles on conducting digital engagement, activation events, and partnership management. A compilation of case studies showcasing the outcomes of our testXXX initiative is now in the works and will be released soon.

GETTING PREPPED FOR AIDS2018

The 2018 International AIDS Society Conference or AIDS2018 is set to take place in Amsterdam next month from July 23 – 27. We’ll be presenting and supporting a range of activities and events as part of this important biennial event for the global response to HIV and AIDS. Our team members will be participating in many panels discussions, we’ll profiling some of our key programmes and projects, and we’re helping organize the Asia Pacific Networking Zone in collaboration with a range of other Asia Pacific HIV and SOGIESC networks. Full details of our agenda will be available in the lead up to the conference so stay tuned!

ASIA PAC HIV AND LGBT ADVOCATES AT CHOGM

Last month we honoured the memory and achievements of APCOM’s founder the late Shivananda Khan who died five years ago on 20 May 2013. Shivananda was a huge force in our region’s response to HIV and LGBT issues for decades whose passing was a tragic loss for our community. He was a true pioneer with a splendid vision on how equality and rights should be achieved for our community. On that path he found many that were against him, tried to stop or divert him, but he tirelessly continued his battle. He was a true hero and the impact of his myriad contributions and achievements will resonate through our community for many years to come.

Read more…

Everyday Hero

Street theatre, short films and beauty workshops are just some of the innovative community engagement initiatives being undertaken by LOTUS, an organisation that was co-founded by Muthukumar Natesan from Tamil Nadu in India. LOTUS was set up to support ‘kothis’ (i.e. gay men) who experience many problems including rejection from their family and society, which can often lead to migration and castration. What began as a support group to give gay men a sense of belonging has since blossomed into a vital community organisation which helps reduce the impact of HIV on gay men and transgender people in the local region as well as address stigma and discrimination.

Read more…..

Regional News

• Vietnam begins testing HIV through saliva

• China's LGBT community finds trouble, hope at end of rainbow

• Gay in India, Where Progress Has Come Only With Risk

• Papua New Guinea launches its first report on key populations

• A transgender paradox in the Philippines

Work at APCOM

To view any of these opportunities, please visit our Work With Us page on the APCOM website.

Consultancy

• RFP for Consultancy Assignment for MSA video on Digital Security for LGBT and Human Right Defenders in South Asia
  
  
• RFP for A Consultancy Assignment on CSO Financing & Legal Review in Indonesia for APCOM, Under The Sustainable HIV Financing in Transition (SHIFT) Program
  
  
• RFP for A Consultancy Assignment on CSO Financing & Legal Review in Malaysia for APCOM Under The Sustainable HIV Financing in Transition (SHIFT) Program
  
  
• RFP for A Consultancy Assignment on CSO Financing & Legal Review in Philippines for APCOM Under The Sustainable HIV Financing in Transition (SHIFT) Program
  
  
• RFP for A Consultancy Assignment on CSO Financing & Legal Review in Thailand for APCOM Under The Sustainable HIV Financing in Transition (SHIFT) Program
  
  
• Media and Communication Consultant
  
  
• Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

Help Us Out

The violence and discrimination that LGBTIQ people experience across Asia and the Pacific gets amplified during conflicts and natural disasters as many humanitarian agencies don’t have the policies or procedures that are necessary to protect and support LGBTIQ people. For many, this makes an already bad situation even worse. The humanitarian system needs to change and we’re helping make this happen with initiatives like Pride In The Humanitarian System (see lead story). Our work in this area is making a real difference in helping LGBTIQ people be included in humanitarian responses. With your help we could more. By making a donation from as little as US$10 a month, you can be part of a team that’s helping LGBTIQ people in conflict and disaster zones.

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