Transgender Community

In Asia and the Pacific, the most visible men who have sex with men are often those who are transgender (male-to-female). Generally, a transgender person is someone who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that is different from the person's sex at birth. Members of the transgender community are known by many names in Asia and the Pacific including hijra and kothi in Bangladesh and India, waria, banci or bencong in Indonesia, bakla (or bayot in the Visayan language) in the Philippines, maknyah in Malaysia, mathis in Nepal, kathoey in Thailand and fa’afafine, which is one of 14 different identities in the Pacific.

The transgender persons attending the Consultation on Male Sexual Health and HIV in Asia and the Pacific, Risks and Responsibilities in 2006, from which APCOM derives its mandate, held their own separate caucus and resolved that they shall endeavour to create separate transgender networks, coalitions and community based organisations, and to seek separate funding to support such organising and activities for HIV prevention. Agreement for this community organising was endorsed by the delegates at Risks and Responsibilities.

Therefore, one of APCOM’s objectives is to nurture and support transgender groups and organisations and include transgender people in all activities as equal partners. This includes APCOM helping transgender groups to form their own networks and coalitions in order to best address TG issues and concerns, particularly related to HIV. To help achieve this objective, APCOM has assigned two governing board seats for transgender community representatives. In close coordination with APCOM, the Transgender community representatives are working towards the formation of a region-wide network of transgender community organisations, starting with the mapping of transgender groups, networks and organisations involved in HIV work.

Transgender Community includes organisations dealing with the issues for HIV and Transgender people.

In December 2009, transgender women from 10 Asia Pacific countries and areas came together to say “No!” to discrimination and marginalisation by forming the world's first Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN).  After three days of intense meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, it was decided that the APTN, composed entirely of transgender women across the region, will champion transgender women's health, legal and social rights.

APCOM Members

If your organisation would like to become an APCOM Member and be listed here please complete the Membership application.

Organisations

If your organisation would like to be listed here please contact us.