Being LGBTI in Asia and the Pacific is a regional programme aimed at addressing inequality, violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status, and promotes universal access to health and social services. It is a collaboration between governments, civil society, regional institutions and other stakeholders to advance the social inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. The programme recognizes that LGBTI people are highly marginalized and face varied forms of stigma and discrimination based on their distinct sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. The programme is supported by UNDP, the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality (Malta), the Government of Canada and Faith in Love Foundation (Hong Kong).

Objectives

Convening stakeholders

The programme brings key stakeholders together to foster a greater understanding of the marginalization and exclusion faced by LGBTI people in the region. The purpose of this is to identify, discuss and eventually move beyond the obstacles that contribute to exclusion, discrimination and violence against people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. This objective includes facilitating South-South cooperation and learning opportunities among governments, civil society, human rights bodies and other stakeholders.

Regional partners include: the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN), Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), Asean SOGIE Caucus (ASC), B-Change Foundation, International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN Women, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), World Health Organization (WHO), The Economist Events, The Lancet and the Salzburg Global Seminar.

A Technical Advisory Group provides guidance to the initiative, comprising experts from academia, civil society, government, human rights bodies, communication and social media, the private sector and LGBTI groups.

Strengthening strategic information

The programme strives to address the large research gaps that currently exist on the stigma, discrimination, violence and human rights violations experienced by sexual and gender minorities in Asia. By addressing these gaps the programme seeks to equip duty bearers with the strategic information required to adequately address stigma and discrimination, end harmful practices that fuel human rights violations against LGBTI individuals in public and private settings, and to ensure these marginalized groups have equal access to justice and public services.

Expected outcomes

• Increased participation of LGBTI people in policy development including universal access to health, social services, education and employment, and rule of law and accountability mechanisms
• Greater understanding amongst stakeholders of the development dimensions and inclusion of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities

Together, these objective and outcomes contribute to the achievement of: SDG 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16.