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LGBT Advocacy in South Asia

LGBT Advocacy in South Asia South Asian advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender rights refers to activism, awareness, or any legal action done to advance and preserve the safety of LGBT folks in the following countries that make up South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. [1].

LGBT advocacy looks different for each country listed below. Some countries on this list have outlawed all same-sex sexual activities through passing sodomy laws. Other countries penalize discrimination against sexual orientation. This list of South Asian advocacy for LGBT rights includes the passing of legislations, the creation of organization, public figures, and other public displays of LGBT awareness.

Afghanistan First Openly Gay Public Figure in 2012 - Nemat Sadat

Journalist Nemat Sadat began publicly advocating for LGBT rights after returning back to Kabul to teach political science at the American University of Afghanistan. After rumors questioning Sadat’s sexuality spread, Sadat was seen as a public threat to Afghanistan and was let go of his professor position. [2]

Bangladesh The establishment of the first online forum for the LGBT community in 2001 - Boys of Bangladesh

The establishment of Boys of Bangladesh (BoB) [3] came about on Yahoo in 2001. BoB is a non-funded online organization of volunteers that aim to provide a safe space for Bangladeshi gay men. BoB was initially composed of two separate groups on yahoo, Boys Only Bangladesh and Teen Gay Bangladesh (TGB), but in late 2003 the Yahoo pages were closed down. In early 2003, Abrar Khan created Boys of Bangladesh, which is still active to this day. BoB has remained a nonpartisan, closed-off group to avoid public backlash. Their first attempt at creating publicity for themselves was made in May 2005 when BoB volunteers wrote a letter to The Daily Star newspaper addressing the issues within the gay Bangladesh community, but it had received negative backlash.

BoB has been launching campaigns to spread awareness of LGBT rights, such as promoting the importance of HIV testing in Dhaka at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in 2005, and publicly celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in May 2008 at a cafe in Dhaka as well. BoB is also known for collaborating with other nonprofit organizations, such as Blue Diamond Society and the Norwegian National Association for Lesbian and Gay Liberation, to host workshops on sexual diversity.

Bhutan The first celebration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia in 2016 On 17 May 2016, Bhutan celebrated and recognized the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia by flying the pride flag over the country for the first time. Bhutan continues to celebrate this day every year [4].

India Legislation of Homosexuality in 2001 The Naz Foundation filed a public interest litigation against the Dehli High Court to repeal Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalizes all sexual activity between anyone whom isn’t a heterosexual man and woman [6]. The Naz Foundation also wanted to spread awareness regarding the stigma of gay men having HIV/AIDS. Activists argued that Section 377 essentially erased sexual diversity and sexual autonomy.

Legal Protection of Sexual Orientation in 2017 On August 24, 2017, India’s Supreme Court declared that people’s sexual orientation is protected under India’s Right to Privacy law [7].

Decriminalization of Homosexuality in 2018 On September 6th, 2018, India’s Supreme Court decriminalized consensual gay sex [8].

Nepal Legal Rights of LGBT People in 2015 On September 16, 2015, Nepalese lawmakers approved a new constitution that provided some rights to the LGBT community, which they refer to as the gender and sexual minorities [5]. The revised articles allow people of the gender and sexual minorities to obtain ID’s with their preferred gender, participate in state affairs, and protection from discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Article 18 also has been revised to include gender neutral language.

Pakistan Passing of Transgender Rights Bill On May 7th, 2018, Pakistan’s parliament passed a bill protecting the rights of transgender people. This bill protects transgender people from discrimination in the workplace, schools, and while receiving medical care [9].