MANILA, PHILIPPINES – In a world increasingly hostile to LGBTQIA+ rights, where the rise of right-wing governments and fascist ideologies threaten to dismantle hard-won freedoms, queer communities continue to resist and persevere. One of the most powerful tools in this fight is art. The 10th ILGA Asia Conference, held from February 24 to 28, 2025, in Kathmandu, Nepal, became a beacon of resilience, where the Arts and Culture Space (ACS) stood as a testament to the transformative power of artistic activism—or “artivism.”
Co-curated by ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), ILGA Asia, Blue Diamond Society, and the Queer Livelihood Project, the Arts and Culture Space at ILGA Asia provided an unprecedented platform for queer artists and cultural workers to assert their rightful place in LGBTQIA+ activism. Featuring over 60 artworks from more than 15 countries, including the Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, and Iran, this space was more than an exhibition—it was an act of defiance, a collective outcry, and a celebration of queer identities through various artistic expressions.
Queer Art as Resistance and Healing
Soudeh Rad, an Iranian activist from Spectrum (a France-based NGO), captured the essence of why art is vital to the queer movement: “We have learned that anti-rights and anti-gender movements are more focused on emotions, but our approaches in activism focus on ideas, facts, data, and realities. Artivism creates questions in people’s minds, opens the door to their thinking by touching people’s emotions, knowing that their minds are closed to our narratives because they are brainwashed by conservatives.”
This idea resonated throughout the conference. Art is not just a means of self-expression; it is a refuge and a revolutionary act. In a world where queer people face relentless discrimination and violence, art becomes a space for individual and collective healing.
Centering Queer Art in Movement Building
Mx. Ryan Silverio, Executive Director of ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, emphasized the critical role of art in the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights: “Queer art is our voice made visible. We paint our truths in vibrant colors, sculpt our identities in defiant forms, and sing our anthems with unyielding voices. It reflects our diverse experiences, challenges oppression, and builds community. It’s not just beautiful; nor is it simply entertainment; it’s essential to our struggle. We must fund queer art because it empowers us to fight for our rights, preserves our history, and fuels the very soul of our movement. Investing in queer art is investing in our liberation—investing in the visions that show us a future where we are all free.”
This programming was significant because queer art has long been overlooked in activist spaces. Too often, human rights movements only acknowledge artists when they face censorship or state violence, or when their work is used to entertain “serious” political discussions. Rarely is there systemic support to nurture the artistic expressions that sustain and expand the movement. ASEAN SOGIE Caucus took a lead role in ensuring that queer artists were not just present but central to ILGA Asia 2025.
Spotlighting Southeast Asian Queer Art
A significant number of the artworks featured in the ACS were part of the Southeast Asia Queer Cultural Festival (SEAQCF), a regional initiative dedicated to showcasing the creativity and narratives of LGBTQIA+ communities in Southeast Asia. Among them were powerful Filipino works, including:
- Drag music video by Deedee Holiday – A vibrant display of Filipino drag artistry that merges performance with political expression.
- Music video by Versus – A trans musician whose work highlights the struggles and joys of navigating gender identity in contemporary society.
- Trans Joy Comic series by Jose Santos Ardivilla – A beautifully illustrated series that portrays the everyday triumphs and resilience of a transwoman activist and academic.
- “Ulit” by Gio Potes – A short film about queer love and romance in the aftermath of the EDSA People Power Revolution, drawing connections between political movements and personal freedoms. (View at SEAQCF: https://exhibition.seaqcf.net/work/Ulit)
The Fight for Funding and Space
While queer communities continue to create, resist, and reclaim their voices through art, the global political climate poses severe challenges. Countries that were once major supporters of LGBTQIA+ movements—such as Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States—are now withdrawing funding as right-wing and fascist ideologies take hold. The intention to dismantle and cripple the equality movement is evident. However, queer communities are not silenced; they continue to find ways to make their voices heard, and art is a crucial avenue for this expression. The ACS at ILGA Asia 2025 was not just an art space—it was a political statement. It was a declaration that queer minorities will take up space, reclaim their narratives, and fight for their right to exist. It was a challenge to mainstream LGBTQIA+ activism to recognize and integrate art as a fundamental pillar of the movement, rather than an afterthought.
A Hub for Connection and Collaboration
Among the highlights of the 10th ILGA Asia Conference were its diverse and powerful workshops, thought-provoking forums, and inclusive dialogue spaces. These sessions provided crucial opportunities for queer advocates and activists from around the world to connect, exchange strategies, and build solidarity. More than just a gathering, the conference became a hub for deepening collaborations, strengthening movements, and envisioning a future where LGBTQIA+ communities thrive despite ongoing challenges.
Conclusion: Art as a Catalyst for Change
As the conference concluded, one thing was clear: the fight for queer liberation is inseparable from artistic expression. The Arts and Culture Space was a bold step toward a future where queer art is not just seen and celebrated, but actively supported and funded. In reclaiming this space, the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus and its partners have sent a powerful message—queer art is not a luxury, nor is it a sideshow. It is the heartbeat of the movement, fueling resistance, healing, and hope for a future where every queer voice is heard, seen, and celebrated.
In a time of growing repression, art remains a revolutionary force. It is a reminder that no matter how many barriers are placed before us, we will continue to create, to love, and to fight.
