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LGBT Advocacy in South Asia

South Asian advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender rights refers to activism, awareness, and 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, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. [1].

Afghanistan

First Openly Gay Public Figure in 2012 - Nemat Sadat

Homosexuality is currently illegal in Afghanistan. It is considered a crime punishable by death. Journalist Nemat Sadat began advocating for LGBT rights after returning back to Kabul to teach political science. After rumors questioning Sadat’s sexuality spread, Sadat was seen as a public threat to Afghanistan and was let go of his professor position at the American University of Afghanistan. [2]

On June 25, 2019, Sadat published his first historical fiction LGBT romance novel, The Carpet Weaver, which kept being rejected by publishers all across the U.S. and Europe until Penguin India picked it up.

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 organziation of volunteers that aim to provide a safe space for Bangladeshi gay men. BoB was initally composed of two seperate 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 May 17, 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 Homsexuality 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].

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, Neplalese 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 discimnation based on gender and sexual orientation. Article 18 also has been revised to include gender neutral language.

Pakistan

Passing of Transsgender 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].