LGBTQIAN+ Persons Should Not Be Left Behind: A call for an inclusive emergency response to the complex crisis in Myanmar

We, various LGBTQIAN+ civil society organizations, and allies from across Asia express our deepest concern for all communities and families affected by the deadly earthquake that shook Myanmar and neighboring countries in Asia. In this time of global political and economic crisis, we understand that the loss of lives, of property, and its serious impacts on well-being run deep and may have long-term impacts.

We are collectively facing a complex crisis in Myanmar. Despite thousands of lives lost in the earthquake-hit areas, we are concerned that military violence, including military airstrikes, has never ceased. The junta’s conduct of air strikes in the aftermath of the earthquake is deplorable. On top of this, the military junta continues to enforce restrictions that hinder independent humanitarian actors from reaching out to, and delivering the needed services in badly affected areas.

We call upon humanitarian and aid organizations to take immediate and inclusive action to support all those affected by this devastating calamity. In this time of crisis, it is imperative that the specific concerns and vulnerabilities faced by LGBTQIAN+ individuals are recognized and addressed. Foremost of which is the pervasive social stigma and their invisibilization in the humanitarian system.

LGBTQIAN+ individuals in Myanmar urgently require assistance to meet their immediate needs. Key support needed includes:

• Ready-to-eat food
• Drinking water and sanitation
• Medicines and medical care
• Psychosocial assistance
• Electricity, internet and telecommunications access
• Hormonal treatment for trans and non-binary persons
• Sanitary pads for assigned female at birth (AFAB) people and other gender sensitive care.
• ART for people who live with HIV.
• Safe shelters that are inclusive to trans and non-binary people
• Mosquito nets, mosquito repellents

In a time of complex crisis, humanitarian response will be effective when there is a situation of peace. We demand a ceasefire, the lifting of military surveillance and control, the provision of access to international humanitarian assistance, and the acceleration of rescue operations in the affected areas.

LGBTQIAN+ people are part of the fabric of Myanmar despite the military’s continuous efforts in their erasure, and are equally vulnerable in this crisis. We implore organizations to actively consider the specific needs and safety of LGBTQIAN+ individuals in their relief efforts, ensuring equitable access to shelter, food, healthcare, and all forms of assistance. An inclusive humanitarian response is not just ethical, it is essential for effectively reaching and supporting everyone in need.

Signatories

1. #MilkTeaAlliance Calendar Team
2. #MilkTeaAlliance Friends of Myanmar
3. APCOM
4. AroAce-clusionist: Aromantic & Asexual Exist Thailand
5. Arakan Youth Peace Network- AYPN
6. ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC)
7. ASEAN Youth Forum
8. Asian Network of Asexual Queer Activists (ANOAQA)
9. Bangkok Lefty Reading Group
10. Blood Money Campaign
11. Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD)​
12. CAN-Myanmar
13. Cebu United Rainbow LGBTQI+ Sector, Inc.
14. Chiang Mai Pride
15. Colors Rainbow
16. Defend Myanmar Democracy
17. Free To Be Me Indonesia
18. Health and Opportunity Network
19. H0M0HAUS, Performing Arts Festival for Diversity
20. ILGA Asia
21. Iloilo Pride Team
22. Intersex Asia
23. Intersex Philippines
24. Justice for Sisters
25. LBTQ Well-Being (Thailand)
26. Manushya Foundation
27. Mermaid Pride Thailand
28. Milk Tea Alliance Thailand
29. Movement for Alternatives and Solidarity in Southeast Asia (MASSA)
30. Mujer-LGBT Organization Inc
31. Non-Binary Southeast Asia
32. Non-Binary Thailand
33. NUSG (Singapore)
34. People’s Movement to Eliminate Discrimination: MovED (Thailand)
35. Pioneer Filipino Transgender men Movement (Pioneer FTM)
36. Progressive Voice
37. PUP KASARIANLAN
38. QLC Bali
39. Queers of Burma Alternative
40. Rainbow Talk Myanmar
41. Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network
42. Sangsan Anakot Yawachon Foundation
43. Serii-Palestine
44. Sirisak Chaited
45. Side B Philippines
46. Sisters 2 Sisters
47. Support Group and Resource Center on Sexuality Studies (SGRC Indonesia)
48. Tagoloan Gender Advocacy Group (TAGAD)
49. Thai Intersex Rights
50. THAI for Palestine
51. Transmen Indonesia
52. Union for Civil Liberty (UCL)
53. V day Thailand
54. Young People for Social Democracy Movement (YPD)​
55. Young Pride Foundation
56. Youth Voices Count, Inc.

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