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). These national workshops include topics on project management, lobbying and advocacy, networking, resource mobilization and human rights and gender equality; and (5) supporting skills building on resource mobilization, registration of unregistered organizations and development of organizational documents such as strategy, operational manuals and other internal policies that could contribute to the LGBTQI organization’s long-term sustainability.
