We, the undersigned organizations, express our deep solidarity with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and gender-diverse/non-binary (LGBTIQ+) siblings around the region who are at the forefront of movements seeking to uphold human rights and democratic values. We affirm that LGBTIQ+ rights and inclusion will only flourish in democratic societies where meaningful participation, dissent, and checks and balances are respected and guaranteed.
We have been closely monitoring the on-going pro-democracy rallies in Thailand. Our heartwarming rainbow and 3 fingers salute to the inspiring LGBTIQ+ activists, especially children and young people, who are challenging the rule of Prime Minister and dictator, Prayuth Chan-ocha, demanding the PM’s resignation, abolishing the pro-military constitution, and ending the state violence against the citizens. Despite facing the risk of committing violations of “lese majeste” laws, which outlaw criticism, defaming, or even questioning the royal family, we are amazed by their courage to boldly call for reforms in the monarchy, upholding the people’s sovereignty. And despite the enactment of the Emergency Decree, which resulted in massive arrests of human rights defenders, violent dispersal of the public assemblies, shutting down independent media covering the demonstrations, and criminalizing on-line expressions of dissent, we are amazed by the unrelentless creativity and courage to continue the protests.
We have been monitoring the on-going protests in Indonesia as a result of the passage of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation. This law essentially amends more than 70 laws in Indonesia that were not meant to safeguard public interests. With the new Omnibus Law, the government favours business and corporate interests in the name of making the Indonesian economy competitive. The law has serious repercussions on labour rights and suppresses labour union roles. The Omnibus Law has ill-effects on environmental protections. It weakens land tenure of indigenous peoples and their control over customary forests thereby contradicting Indonesia’s constitutional guarantees. Our bold rainbow salute to the Indonesian LGBTIQ+ activists who braved to join the people’s struggle and taking the streets, faced health risks during the Covid 19 crisis, in order to hold the Indonesian government accountable.
By issuing this statement, we, LGBTIQ+ activists express solidarity with all who are defending and standing up for democracy in this region. We also remind governments in ASEAN that we are a force to contend with. It is the spirit of solidarity that binds us together in our struggles against state violence and injustice across the region. We are not alone in this fight. Collectively, we demand ASEAN states particularly the Thailand and Indonesian governments to stop the violence, police brutality and listen to the people’s struggles that are advocating for human rights, justice and democracy.
Signed by 72 organizations:
Regional/Global
- ASEAN SOGIE Caucus
- ASEAN Feminist LBQ Network
- Asia Pacific Transgender Network
- OutRight Action International
- Planet Ally
- Youth Voices Count, Inc.
Cambodia
- CamASEAN Youth’s Future
- Microrainbow International Foundation Cambodia (MRIF Cambodia)
Indonesia
- Bengkel Karya Kuma Transdisciplinary Arts Collective
- Cangkang Queerr
- Community Legal Aid Institute
- ESBISQUET
- KKPI (Komunitas Keluarga Pelangi Indonesia)
- Komunitas Sehati Makassar
- Panggung Minoritas
- People Like Us Satu Hati, Yogyakarta
- PKBI Majalengka
- Resource Center on Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights Studies Udayana (GSHR Udayana)
- Samsara
- Queer Archive
- Perempuan Mahardika
- Reswara
- Sandya Institute
- Arus Pelangi
Italy
- Il Grande Colibrì – Intercultural LGBTQIA association
Malaysia
- Centre for Independent Journalism
- Good Samaritan Kuala Lumpur (GSKL)
- Pelangi Campaign
- People Like Us Support Ourselves (PLUsos)
- Queer Lapis
- Justice for Sisters
- PLUHO (People Like Us Hang Out)
- Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group (SAWO)
Myanmar
- Colors Rainbow
- Rainbow Alliance
- &PROUD
Philippines
- Youth for Youth Organization
- Bahaghari
- Bahaghari Bicol
- Bisdak Pride, Inc.
- Camp Queer
- Equality Philippines
- Illuminates of the Spectra
- Iloilo Pride Team
- KAPEDERASYON LGBT Organization
- Ladlad Caraga Incorporated
- Milktea Alliance Philippines
- Mujer-LGBT Organization, Inc.
- Ogtonganon Mask Stewards
- Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
- Queer Quezon
- San Julian Pride Advocacy GroupInc
- Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan – Polytechnic University of the Philippines (SAMASA – PUP)
- Tribu Duag
- True Colors Coalition (TCC)
- Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau
- Aves Community Based Organization
- Lakanbini Advocates Pilipinas
- Pioneer Filipino Transgender men Movement
- Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines STRAP
- United PUP
Singapore
- Prout
- Singapore LBQ Network
- The Healing Circle
South Africa
- The Global Interfaith Network For People of All Sexes, Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions
South Korea
- Rainbow Refugee Network
Thailand
- Non-Binary People’s Association For Gender Recognition
- Society of Young Social Innovators (SYSI)
Vietnam
- ACD TAY NINH – Hành động vì phát triển cộng đồng Tây Ninh
- ĐƠN GIẢN VÌ TỚ LÀ GAY
- Mirror Mirror
- Tay Ninh LGBT’S
- Tây Ninh Pride
And by 152 individuals from 19 countries/territories: Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Iraq, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, United States, Vietnam.
