ILGA Asia

This IDAHOBIT, we spotlight progressive and inclusive legal provisions across Asia which protect LGBTIQ individuals and communities against hate and discrimination.

Taken together, these examples reflect a regional legal landscape where recognition is expanding — but remains partial, contested, and unevenly enforced.

The work continues — to defend, expand, and make real the promise of safety, dignity, and equality for every LGBTIQ person across Asia.

Learn more at: www.ilgaasia.org/publications

96 organizations and individuals have already signed the joint statement calling for the revocation of the India Transgender Amendment Act 2026.

The statement raises urgent concerns about the harmful impact of the amendment on transgender, inters*x, and gender-diverse communities in India, including threats to dignity, autonomy, equality, and human rights.

Read the messages of support from signatories and join the call.

Sign the joint statement here:
https://bit.ly/RevokeIndiaTransgenderAmendmentAct2026

True development must leave no one behind — and every identity deserves equal space in society.

ILGA Asia, represented by Kaona Saowakun, President of our Thai Board, participated in the Deaf Thai Rainbow Club's 15th anniversary workshop in Nonthaburi, Thailand, held from 2–4 May 2026. The workshop strengthened community planning for 2026 and created space to advance the rights, health, access, and leadership and participation of Deaf LGBTIQ people in Thailand.

We look forward to continued engagement with the Deaf Thai Rainbow Club and to strengthening inclusive, community-led movement building across the region.

Learn more at www.ilgaasia.org/news

JOIN THE CALL: Revoke India’s Transgender Amendment Act 2026 ✊

We are deeply alarmed by the Indian government’s adoption of the Transgender Amendment Act 2026 on 30 March 2026. These amendments undermine constitutional protections and violate international human rights standards, including the rights to equality, dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy.

This attack on transgender rights disproportionately harms the most marginalised within the community. Transgender and gender-diverse people living at the intersections of caste, religion, class, disability, and geographic marginalisation face heightened exclusion, surveillance, and criminalisation under this law.

We call on the Government of India to repeal the amendments to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, end all forms of state scrutiny and interference over gender identity and bodily integrity, and immediately halt the prosecution and detention of individuals under this Act.

📝 Sign the joint statement here:
https://www.ilgaasia.org/news/callforsignaturetransgenderamendmentact2026

Applications are now open! 🌈

ILGA Asia and the Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights Program at Harvard’s Carr-Ryan Center are launching The Fundamentals of LGBTQI+ Movement Building In-Person Training in Asia, happening on 6–8 November 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

This 3-day training will bring together LGBTQI+ leaders across Asia to strengthen strategies, build resilient coalitions, and advance equality and safety for our communities.

We welcome applications from LGBTQI+ advocates, activists, civil society representatives, community leaders, academics, researchers, creatives, DEI specialists, private sector representatives, public officials, and policymakers across Asia.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.ilgaasia.org/fundamentals-of-lgbtqi-movement-training

Apply by 29 May 2026, 23:59 ICT.

Deadline extended! The LGBTI Pathways Survey is now open until 30 April 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

✊ Share your experiences to help identify funding gaps and shape advocacy that truly reflects our communities’ needs.

🔗 Take the survey before it closes:
https://lgbtipathways.org/welcome-to-the-lgbti-pathways-survey/

Bhumika Shrestha is Nepal’s first transgender Member of Parliament 🇳🇵 From her years of advocacy with Blue Diamond Society to her role today as a lawmaker, she carries forward a commitment to advancing the rights of marginalized communities.

“I feel an even greater sense of responsibility,” she shares—one rooted in pushing for inclusive laws on gender recognition, marriage equality, protection from violence, and access to healthcare.

ILGA Asia celebrates this historic milestone. Here’s to more LGBTIQ leaders across Asia committed to empowering our communities 🌈

📢 We urge the President of India to return the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill for reconsideration, and call on the judiciary to review its constitutionality.

🗒 On 26 March 2026, the Rajya Sabha—the upper parliamentary house in India— passed a regressive amendment that removes the right to self-identification, rolling back protections under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act of 2019.

Transgender people continue to face discrimination and harassment because of their gender identity and expression; removing their right to self-identification is subjecting them to further scrutiny, and mandating surgical procedures is a violation upon their dignity and bodily integrity.

Click the link to read more about what’s happening in India:
http://www.ilgaasia.org/news/IndiaMarch2026

📣We’re Hiring!

ILGA Asia is looking for a Finance and Operations Manager to join our team in Bangkok, Thailand. If you are passionate about strengthening financial systems and supporting regional work advancing LGBTIQ rights across Asia, we encourage you to apply.

🗓Application deadline: 5 April 2026 (23:59 ICT)
🔗Read more and apply:
https://ilgaasia.org/news/financeandoperationsmanager/