Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN)

This review examines existing literature on trans people’s human rights and HIV vulnerability across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN), together with its country partners, embarked on an ambitious and much-needed research project to study the various forms of conversion therapy practices being implemented against transgender (trans) and gender diverse people in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. This evidence-generating project aimed to explore how trans and gender diverse people in these countries have been subjected to conversion therapy practices by documenting their personal narratives and lived experiences. Further, it sought to investigate how the existing national legal, policy, and programmatic frameworks create an environment in which these harmful practices can thrive.

The spotlight report highlights the systemic discriminations and prejudice experienced by trans and gender diverse persons in Malaysia and sheds light on the government’s lackluster response to include trans and gender diverse persons in its 2030 Agenda implementation strategies. Transgender persons have been experiencing gross violations of their fundamental human rights, including violence, harassment and arbitrary arrests from law enforcement authorities, exclusion from healthcare and education systems due to the lack of legal gender recognition, discrimination in the employment sector, and routine dehumanisation and demonisation by the media that perpetuates gender stereotyping and transphobia.

There are a range of negative experiences trans and gender diverse people encounter when trying to access healthcare in a cis-normative society. These negative experiences, both systemic and interpersonal, produce unique stressors that can lead directly to negative health outcomes including poor physical or mental health. They can also be a barrier to utilising healthcare when a previous experience of discrimination leads to future avoidance of accessing services. It is vital to understand the nature, extent and impact of stressors on trans and gender diverse people’s use of healthcare services. Only then, interventions can be implemented to mitigate stressors and improve healthcare access and utilization.

This resource is divided into three main sections. In the first section, we discuss and unpack the terminologies frequently used in this factsheet. In the second section, we have curated tips for safe and pleasurable sex. Finally, in the third section, we have compiled information to answer commonly asked questions about reproductive health of transgender and gender diverse persons and their fertility choices.

These guidelines have been developed for healthcare providers on trans-competent healthcare services for transgender patients. We hope these guidelines will give you a better understanding of the experiences trans people face as they navigate their way through accessing health services. It is our hope that these guidelines will increase knowledge about trans-inclusive health services in order to create positive health care experiences for trans people and ensure their right to the highest attainable standard of health. This includes ensuring that healthcare meets the Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Quality (AAAQ) framework set out in international human rights standards.

This regional partnership meeting will examine the current state of transgender affairs, from health, to human rights, to policies, and discover models and strategies for advancing where we are, to where we want to be, leading to collective building.

The COVID-19 pandemic has starkly revealed the vast social, economic and health disparities experienced by trans and gender diverse communities even further. Trans people often delay or avoid seeking healthcare due to negative experiences of stigma and discrimination from health care providers. When they do seek healthcare, they report experiences of disrespect, lack of privacy and confidentiality and in many cases outright refusal of care. Additionally, trans people are experiencing increased difficulties getting access to hormones and gender-affirmative health care.