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  • Organisation

    Proud to be Us Laos (PTBUL) was founded in 2012, to advocate for the greater well-being of LGBTIQ in Lao PDR. Its initial work was to raise awareness of sexual reproductive health issues and in particular the prevention of HIV and other STIs, as well as ensuring that those people living with HIV receive appropriate treatment and services. This work is still a prominent feature of their work today, but their aims and activities now take a broader approach to helping to ensure that LGBITQ people are included in all aspects of society and can make positive contributions to their communities free from stigma, discrimination and violence. This positive and affirmative approach is reflected in its name, as PTBUL, believes everyone should be proud of who they are and what they do, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, ability, body shape or any other characteristic. PTBUL recognises that creating an inclusive society, means people living and working together in harmony to achieve development goals. This can only be achieved if people are not subjected to stigma and discrimination. In the past PTBUL has had notable successes in raising the profile of the LGBTIQ community in an affirmative way. It has had particular success in raising the VOICE of the community at key events such as IDAHOTB Day. The first of these events was held in 2012 and they have mostly continued since then. The events have garnered considerable support from the Lao and international community, including the European Union, United States, Australia, Canada and United Kingdom. The success of these events is built upon representative and diverse community voices, a deep respect for Lao culture and context, an understanding that advocacy needs to be consistent with the goals of the Government of Lao PDR. The events are also a success through superb networking skills and excellent relations with Lao national media.

    • Organisation

      Proud to be Us Laos (PTBUL) was founded in 2012, to advocate for the greater well-being of LGBTIQ in Lao PDR. Its initial work was to raise awareness of sexual reproductive health issues and in particular the prevention of HIV and other STIs, as well as ensuring that those people living with HIV receive appropriate treatment and services. This work is still a prominent feature of their work today, but their aims and activities now take a broader approach to helping to ensure that LGBITQ people are included in all aspects of society and can make positive contributions to their communities free from stigma, discrimination and violence. This positive and affirmative approach is reflected in its name, as PTBUL, believes everyone should be proud of who they are and what they do, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, ability, body shape or any other characteristic. PTBUL recognises that creating an inclusive society, means people living and working together in harmony to achieve development goals. This can only be achieved if people are not subjected to stigma and discrimination. In the past PTBUL has had notable successes in raising the profile of the LGBTIQ community in an affirmative way. It has had particular success in raising the VOICE of the community at key events such as IDAHOTB Day. The first of these events was held in 2012 and they have mostly continued since then. The events have garnered considerable support from the Lao and international community, including the European Union, United States, Australia, Canada and United Kingdom. The success of these events is built upon representative and diverse community voices, a deep respect for Lao culture and context, an understanding that advocacy needs to be consistent with the goals of the Government of Lao PDR. The events are also a success through superb networking skills and excellent relations with Lao national media.

    • Project

      The goal of Champions of Inclusion and Diversity is to ensure that LGBTIQ people are able to fully participate in all aspects of Lao society and make positive contributions to their communities. Specifically, it will seek to reduce stigma and discrimination against LGBTIQ people especially in the areas of family relations and access to health services, education and employment. It will build upon and utilise the work developed in the VOICE funded Learning about Innovative and Communication (LICM) project. It will aim to ensure that Lao society is more aware of the contribution that LGBTIQ people make to their communities and increase understanding about the barriers they face and how these can be overcome. In the process of achieving this objective, it will build the capacity of Proud to be us Laos (PTBUL) to become a formal registered entity so that is able to sustainably contribute to the well-being of LGBTIQ people in the Lao PDR. The main outcomes will be that the voices of LGBTIQ people in Lao PDR will have more visibility and influence, and that PTBUL shall able to continue its invaluable work in representing

  • Project

    The goal of Champions of Inclusion and Diversity is to ensure that LGBTIQ people are able to fully participate in all aspects of Lao society and make positive contributions to their communities. Specifically, it will seek to reduce stigma and discrimination against LGBTIQ people especially in the areas of family relations and access to health services, education and employment. It will build upon and utilise the work developed in the VOICE funded Learning about Innovative and Communication (LICM) project. It will aim to ensure that Lao society is more aware of the contribution that LGBTIQ people make to their communities and increase understanding about the barriers they face and how these can be overcome. In the process of achieving this objective, it will build the capacity of Proud to be us Laos (PTBUL) to become a formal registered entity so that is able to sustainably contribute to the well-being of LGBTIQ people in the Lao PDR. The main outcomes will be that the voices of LGBTIQ people in Lao PDR will have more visibility and influence, and that PTBUL shall able to continue its invaluable work in representing

  • Results

    PTBUL held several advocacy events since late October 2018. The most significant accomplishments under the Empowerment grant included the 3-year comprehensive development of PTBUL’s organisational structure, which included defining visions, missions, values, objectives, and a three-year plan. This resulted in the PTBUL’s first ever organisational structure, after been on the road since 2012. Apart from that, PTBUL conducted the first ever Survey on LGBTI Youth in Laos, together with UNESCO and the Lao Youth Union (LYU). I also conducted a Training of Trainers for lectures at the Health Sciences University from 9 National Institutes on SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression), including curriculum development. PTBUL also presented “Queerability – Story of Ey“, a documentary about a transgender woman living with a disability, at the Luang Prabang Film Festival 2018. The documentary was published and used as a powerful advocacy product. Essentially, the heart of the story is the blending of the lives of people of various sexualities who have a high ability to contribute to society. 

    Photos

    1.  CSO partners attended the “development of organisational structure” workshop.
    1. PTBUL provided SOGIE principles to lecturers of the national health sciences universities from 9 provinces.
    1.  PTBUL launched the “Queerability – Story of Ey” at the Luang Prabang Film Festival in early December
    1.  Joint-project based on Voice grantees’ initiative to publish a comic book about HIV/AIDS, Sexual Reproductive Health and basic SOGIE for high school students in the Lao
  • News

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