2021 First Half in Review – TDOV, Covid 19 Trans Resilience, Transgender Advocacy Week and more

Published August 24, 2021

Dear friends of APTN,

as we continue with our second year of Covid 19 Pandemic, here’s some of the highlights of the latest activities, events, workshop, campaigns for this first half of the 2021.

APTN Team

JANUARY 2021

SOGIESC recommendations shared by HRDs during ILGA’s UPR advocacy week in Geneva


In 2020, our country partner from Nepal, Blue Diamond Society (BDS), along with APTN, submitted a joint submission report highlighting the stigma and discrimination that Trans citizens of Nepal continue to experience in the healthcare, education and employment settings for the 3rd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Nepal.

Nepal received four SOGIESC recommendations and one advanced question. The UPR report will be formally adopted at the next Human Rights Council (HRC) session.

You can watch the proceedings of the 37th session of UPR here:

Join Statement – SEED & APTN For The Social Media Postings Of Malaysian Dr. Shaiful Azad

SEED & APTN have released a statement regarding the social media postings of Malaysian Dr. Shaiful Azad, related to his Transgender patient.

Read the full statement: https://weareaptn.org/2021/01/22/join-statement-seed-aptn-for-the-social-media-postings-of-malaysian-dr-shaiful-azad/

FEBRUARY 2021

What They Don’t Tell You In Sex Ed! – A Resource For Transgender And Gender Diverse Communities On Sexual And Reproductive Health

On Valentines day, we shared our resource for trans and gender diverse folks that attempts to answer frequently asked questions about dating, sexuality and pleasure. Bonus: it also comes with some helpful tips on sexual and reproductive health! Happy Valentine’s Day!

This resource is divided into three main sections. In the first section, we discuss and unpack the terminologies frequently used in this factsheet. In the second section, we have curated tips for safe and pleasurable sex. Finally, in the third section, we have compiled information to answer commonly asked questions about reproductive health of transgender and gender diverse persons and their fertility choices.

Read more: https://weareaptn.org/resource/what-they-dont-tell-you-in-sex-ed-a-resource-for-transgender-and-gender-diverse-communities-on-sexual-and-reproductive-health/

I am trans feminine and I think I want to start using hormones! What should I know before I begin?

This factsheet is for trans women, trans feminine and gender diverse people who may be thinking about using hormones also known as Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT).

Read more: https://weareaptn.org/resource/i-am-trans-feminine-and-i-think-i-want-to-start-using-hormones-what-should-i-know-before-i-begin/

MARCH 2021

Transgender Day Of Visibility 2021

On the Transgender Day of Visibility, APTN would like to share findings from its recent research that aims to explore the various conversion therapy practices widespread in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and SriLanka. This evidence-generating project aimed to explore how trans and gender diverse people in these countries have been subjected to #conversiontherapy practices by documenting their personal narratives and lived experiences.

Read more: https://weareaptn.org/2021/04/02/transgender-day-of-visibility-2021/

COVID-19 Trans Resilience: Stories Of Hope, Pain And Survival From The Asia And Pacific Trans Movement:​

Drawing of gender and racially diverse humans wearing masks

We present our findings from our and our partner’s work which demonstrate an urgent need to guarantee the inclusion of  transgender and gender non conforming people in efforts to fight COVID-19 and its effects. This COVID-19 campaign will feature snapshots and findings from APTN’s “Trans Resilience Report”, profile our partner organisations and the vital work they have been doing to combat COVID-19’s effects in trans communities, share the stories of the trans individual’s lived experiences throughout the pandemic, and feature articles and insights from experts in various fields from mental health to human rights.

Read more: https://weareaptn.org/special_project/covid-19-trans-resilience-stories-of-hope-pain-and-survival-from-the-asia-and-pacific-trans-movement/

APRIL 2021

Joint Signatories – Thank You USA For $3.5 Billion Emergency Investment In The Global Fund To Fight Aids, Tuberculosis And Malaria To Fight Covid-19

Global Fund Advocates Network Asia-Pacific (GFAN AP) along with 759 signatories from communities living with and affected by HIV, TB and malaria and civil society organisations in Asia-Pacific and globally extend sincere gratitude to the United States (U.S.), the Biden-Harris Administration, and the U.S. Congress led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for the $3.5 billion emergency funding commitment they secured for the efforts of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in low- and middle-income countries.

Read more: https://weareaptn.org/special_project/covid-19-trans-resilience-stories-of-hope-pain-and-survival-from-the-asia-and-pacific-trans-movement/

COVID-19 Trans Resilience: Stories Of Hope, Pain And Survival From The Asia And Pacific Trans Movement – End of Campaign

Over the last 5 weeks, APTN has shared the stories, profiles, findings, and advice from the transgender movement in Asia and the Pacific during the #COVID19 #pandemic. We hope that over the last few weeks you have learned of the unique and urgent needs of the #transgender community and found local, grassroots organisations to follow and support. We are grateful to our 22 Community Support Fund #partners and #focalpoints, and our #funders and #donors, whose hard work and dedication has sustained the #transcommunity throughout the past year. This is a testament to the #transmovement’s resilience.

Read more: https://weareaptn.org/special_project/covid-19-trans-resilience-stories-of-hope-pain-and-survival-from-the-asia-and-pacific-trans-movement/

JUNE 2021

Trans Advocacy Week 2021: In support of the IE SOGI report on gender

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the discrimination, stigma, and violence faced by trans and gender-diverse people worldwide, with gender-segregated lockdown policies making it impossible for trans people living in countries without legal gender recognition to leave their homes without facing harassment, violence, and detention.

The report released by the IE SOGI is an important step forward for trans rights globally. We are confident that it will contribute to strengthening an intersectional, inclusive, and holistic understanding of gender justice, and will provide a basis upon which State policies that promote trans rights and greater inclusion of trans communities in society can be built.

Read more: https://weareaptn.org/special_project/covid-19-trans-resilience-stories-of-hope-pain-and-survival-from-the-asia-and-pacific-trans-movement/

Trans Advocacy Week 2021: Protect trans women’s rights, 27 States tell the United Nations in historic first

In a historic first, yesterday 27 States called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to urgently protect the human rights of trans people, especially trans women, 5 NGOs said. States also urged governments to work with trans-led organisations to raise awareness about the specific situations facing their communities.

The statement was delivered by Chile on behalf of the 27 UN member States from the newly formed Group of Friends of the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity1 during the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences.

Read more: https://weareaptn.org/special_project/covid-19-trans-resilience-stories-of-hope-pain-and-survival-from-the-asia-and-pacific-trans-movement/

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