“Solidarity does not assume that our struggles are the same struggles, or that our pain is the same pain, or that our hope is for the same future.
Solidarity involves commitment, and work, as well as the recognition that even if we do not have the same feelings, or the same lives, or the same bodies, we do live on common ground.” –Sara Ahmed
Photo: Japan Times
RAINBOW OVER COVID-19�SECURITIZING SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY & EXPRESSION AND SEX CHARACTERISTICS (SOGIESC)
Joel Mark Barredo, Programme Director, SHAPE-SEA
ESTABLISHING POSITIONALITIES
Feminist Inquiry: Reflexive identification and interrogation of our condition, identities, privileges and systems
Who Am I?
What is my understanding of Human Rights?
What has been my lived experience of COVID-19 so far?
– Vaccinated, living in a High-Risk Country
Strengthening Human Rights and Peace Research Education in ASEAN/Southeast Asia (SHAPE-SEA)
Overall Aim: To contribute to the improvement of the human rights and peace in ASEAN/ Southeast Asia through applied research, capacity building, policy advocacy and education.
It focuses on supporting research on innovative and critical projects on human rights and peace, and in exploring ways in which this knowledge is made accessible to university students throughout ASEAN/SEA through human rights and peace research education, and policy advocacy
Supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (NCHR)
a collaboration program between ASEAN University Network-Human Rights Education Theme (AUN-HRE) and the Southeast Asian Human Rights Studies Network (SEAHRN)
The Philosophy of Academic Activism
Conscientiously building a Critical Mass of Academic-Activists supporting the promotion, protection of human rights and building of peace
Paolo Freire’s Pedagogy of The Oppressed; Conscientizacao: learning to perceive social, political, and economic contradictions, and to take action against the oppressive elements of reality
Photo: Jenny Mackness
WHAT IS SOGIESC?
BOTTOMLINES
CONTEXT IN THE ASEAN REGION
THE STORY OF SOGIESC IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Acceptance
Right to Marriage/Civil Partnership (Thailand, Vietnam)
Tolerance
Anti-Discrimination (Philippines)
Active LGBTIQ CSOs (Thailand, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Philippines)
Criminalisaton
Shariah Law (Brunei and Aceh)
Same-sex activities (Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore)
THE STORY OF SOGIESC IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
| |
Brunei Darussalam | “Homosexuality has long been a criminal offense in the country “LGBT activism in the public sphere is non-existent in Brunei, and based on anecdotal reports the small community that does exist keeps itself well hidden |
Cambodia | “curing” are not uncommon in Cambodia, where LGBT people are often seen as being mentally ill or as being possessed with “bad spirits; Some village chiefs have decided to issue marriage certificates to same-sex couples in cases where one of the couple is willing to identify as the opposite sex on the marriage certificate |
THE STORY OF SOGIESC IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
| |
Indonesia | Religious Fundamentalism as the greatest threat to non-discrimination and equality amongst genders Aceh: Criminalisation of Same Sex Activities |
Lao PDR | CSO leader declared in 2015 that there are no LGBTI peoples in Lao PDR Information is scarce and regulated about the state of LGBTIQA peoples in the country, same as any human rights related issue |
THE STORY OF SOGIESC IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
| |
Malaysia | Homosexuality is criminalised by laws in Malaysia; Social perception: “In my Islamic Studies classes, the dos and don’ts in Islam (as we were taught) would constantly be drummed into our heads. Homosexuality was, of course, a big don’t.” |
Myanmar | “People who have intercourse and are considered by law to be of the same sex can technically be charged under section 377 of the penal code, a piece of colonial-era legislation that criminalises ‘unnatural sex’.” “The police see LGBT people, especially transgender people, as people they can abuse whenever they need money, |
THE STORY OF SOGIESC IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
| |
Philippines | Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are facing tremendous opposition from government supported by the church First Transgender Congresswoman was elected in 2016 Non-Discrimination Bill is being passed in Congress at the moment |
Singapore | Homosexual Activities between two gay men is criminalised in Singapore; |
THE STORY OF SOGIESC IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
| |
Thailand | LGBTIQs can be visible and are able to contribute to society. CSOs are vibrant in all parts of the country Same Sex Marriage- A possibility Religious actors still have strong opinions on the emergence of LGBTIQAs in Thailand |
Timor Leste | Constitution, which is mainly based on UN human rights principles, promotes equality and non-discrimination Consensual same-sex sexual conduct is not criminalized in Timor-Leste |
Vietnam | Vietnam was hailed as a leader on gay rights in Southeast Asia after the country’s communist government abolished a ban on same-sex marriage in 2015 Vibrant LGBTIQ Civil Society |
COVID-19 SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
COVID-19 SITUATION: BEYOND THE NUMBERS
Public Health Emergency
Failing Governance of Societies
Disruption of Livelihood and Opportunities
Heightened Securitization
(Militarization/Unscientific approaches)
Protracted,
Harmful
Inequalities
SOGIESC AMID COVID-19
INTERSECTIONAL INEQUALITIES
Increased Vulnerability
Educational attainment
Ethinicity
Labour Status
Citizenship Status
Access to Technology
Religious and Social Status
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STRUGGLES
Increased Violence within the Household
Suppression by State of Queer Activists
Pressure to Survive from Restrictions
AN OPPORTUNITY TO NORMALIZE ACCEPTANCE AND ELIMINATE NON-DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE
Meaningful
Participation
Funding
Legal Reform
Disaggregated Data
And Inclusive Analysis
A PARADIGM SHIFT FROM GENERAL EQUALITY TO SUBSTANTIVE EQUALITY
SHIFT FROM FORMAL EQUALITY TO SUBSTANTIVE EQUALITY AMID COVID-19 AND THE NEW NORMAL