An Examination of LBQ+ Realities in the Malay Archipelago Report
Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) have long been viewed through a narrow, cisheterosexual lens, effectively rendering the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ+) persons invisible. A new publication challenges this narrative, offering a profound and nuanced exploration of SRHR experiences in Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
The publication explores the complex realities of LBQ+ individuals assigned female at birth, illuminating the unique challenges they face within healthcare systems that are often designed without their specific needs in mind. By centering these marginalized voices, the research provides a critical intervention in understanding sexual and reproductive health from a truly intersectional perspective.
What emerges is not a narrative of pure victimhood, but a powerful story of resilience. Despite systemic barriers, LBQ+ communities in the Malay Archipelago have consistently found ways to resist, create alternative care networks, and advocate for themselves. Their strategies of survival and solidarity shine through in this comprehensive examination.
By challenging dominant narratives and bringing forward lived experiences that have been systematically overlooked, this publication does more than document challenges—it creates a pathway for more inclusive, compassionate, and equitable healthcare approaches. It calls on policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to recognize and actively support the sexual and reproductive health rights of all individuals, including the LBQ+ individuals.
This is not just a research document. It is a manifesto of visibility, a declaration of the right to comprehensive, dignified healthcare, and a celebration of the resilient LBQ+ communities across the Malay Archipelago.
The full report is now available for download from the Asia Feminist LBQ Network (AFLN). Researchers, activists, policymakers, and community members are urged to access this critical resource that amplifies the voices and experiences of LBQ+ individuals in Southeast Asia. Download the report now and join the conversation on transforming sexual and reproductive healthcare.
