Connecting Voices for LGBTQI Socio Economic Inclusion and Human Rights in Asia

This project aims to support the gender equality and human rights of lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer and intersex (LGBTQI) persons in Asia. It capacitates and connects local LGBTQI organizations working with marginalized and vulnerable groups from the LGBTQI communities in Cambodia Indonesia Lao People’s Democratic Republic the Philippines and Thailand. The project supports these organizations whose work and advocacy centres on equality non-discrimination and inclusion in response to discrimination and stigma based on sexual orientation gender identity gender expression or sex characteristics. Through tailored-fit training workshops organizational development diagnoses and technical and organizational advisory support funded by sub-grants the project helps improve the skills and knowledge of regional national and sub-national LGBTQI organizations. At least 5 sub-grant recipients are women-led LGBTQI organizations and lesbian bisexual and transgender women organizations. This project helps the local LGBTQI organizations become more established to sustainably deliver appropriate services and support to LGBTQI persons through targeted skills training and knowledge building. Project activities include: (1) connecting sub-national national and regional LGBTQI organizations through national and regional events and platforms for LGBTQI movement building; (2) conducting a mapping of LGBTQI organizations and the work done on LGBTQI rights in the regions; (3) organizing ten partnership-building events and 5 national coordination meetings with at least 100 leaders and representatives (of whom 50% are women) of local LGBTQI organizations. These organizations seek to amplify advocacy for LGBTQI human rights and social and economic inclusion in the region; (4) creating 15 national workshops informed by gender-based analysis+ and needs analysis to indirectly benefit at least 50 LGBTQI organizations and 300 LGBTQI representatives (of whom 50% are women). T

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved organizational management programming and sustainability of 15 LGBTQI organizations and one regional organization to advance gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in Asia; and (2) improved effectiveness of platforms advocacy networks and alliances of 15 LGBTQI organizations and one regional organization in influencing gender-responsive socioeconomic policy and programs in Asia.