Thailand's National Human Rights Commission's Dr. Taejing Siripanich explains why hate crimes and lack of anti-discrimination legislation are not being prioritised as same-sex marriage is, and that advocating for a new law to be created to legalise same-sex partnerships is "easier than changing the existing marriage law."
The 25th world conference of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) met in Sao Paulo, Brazil, December 4-9. Douglas Sanders reports.
The series presents 10 movers and shakers in Asia who are set to bring about positive change in their local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
The following is a statement from the ILGA-Asia Board on the cancellation of 4th ILGA-Asia Conference in Surabaya last month after dozens of protesters from hardline Islamic groups staked out the hotel and conference venue on what was to be the first day of the conference.
The recent cancellation of a planned Asian-wide conference of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in Surabaya reveals how far our society is from respecting human rights — and how close it is to slipping into religious fascism, writes Bramantyo Prijosusilo.
While local conference organisers may face criminal charges, human rights advocates in Indonesia are simultaneously urging the police to arrest members of several Islamic groups who raided the hotel where participants were staying.
Most of the conference's participants left their hotel the same night after dozens of protesters from hardline Islamic groups staked out the hotel and conference venue for hours on Friday. Sylvia Tan reports from Surabaya.
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