As part of SEAQCF 2.0: ImagiNATIONS, we’re thrilled to partner with New Naratif in hosting an Online Roundtable that will bring together queer artists and cultural practitioners from across Southeast Asia. This event will not only reflect on the socio-political factors shaping their work, but also explore new ways of fostering solidarity and building connections among practitioners within and across the region. We’ll feature individuals at various stages of their creative journeys, representing a wide range of backgrounds, all linked by a common theme.
Our goal is to reach a wider audience and strengthen ties with broader cultural activism networks. The roundtable will feature SEAQCF advisory members, collaborators from New Naratif, as well as artists and queer cultural practitioners from Southeast Asia, who will share their experiences, challenges, and the opportunities they see ahead.
All session and conversation are in English. Register at: tinyurl.com/creativeconnectSEA2025
1. Community Organizers and Publications: Creating and Maintaining Safe Spaces
Monday, March 3rd | 7.00 PM (JKT/BKK/HCMC) / 8.00 PM (KL/SG/MNL)
Speakers:
Raham Abyasa (Transmen Indonesia, Indonesia), Kuro Roi (Minority Agenda, Brunei Darussalam), Arra and Adolf (KORIS Koletivu, Timor Leste), Anan Bouapha (Proud to be Us, Laos)
Moderator: Fatima Qureshi (Thailand) | Discussant: Fairuza Hanun (Indonesia)
This panel will bring together community organisers who produce publications or organise activities aimed at creating and maintaining safe spaces within their own contexts. Each panelist will share their experiences in defining what “safe space” means to them, their strategies for building these environments, and how they consider the political and safety implications of their work.
2. Queer Literature: Navigating Literary Spaces and Publications
Tuesday, March 4th | 7.00 PM (JKT/BKK/HCMC) / 8.00 PM (KL/SG/MNL)
Speakers:
Nurdiyansah Dalijo (Indonesia), Kukasina Ayesha Kubaha (Patani), Khanh Aiden Nguyễn (Vietnam), Mark Anthony Cayanan (The Philippines)
Moderator: Ng Yi-Sheng (Singapore) | Discussant: Bonnibel Rambatan (Indonesia)
Queer literature spans a wide range of literary forms and publication genres, bridging independent publications, academic research, and commercial publishing. In this session, the speakers will share their personal literary journeys, discuss their current projects, and engage with their audience, all through the lens of their unique literary aesthetics.
3. Fine Arts and Performances: Understanding Queer Aesthetic
Wednesday, March 5th | 7.00 PM (JKT/BKK/HCMC) / 8.00 PM (KL/SG/MNL)
Speakers:
Nerissa del Carmen (The Philippines), Tan Vatey (Cambodia), Oat Montien (Thailand), Ishvara Devi (Indonesia)
Moderator: Renan Laru-an (The Philippines) | Discussant: Bonnibel Rambatan (Indonesia)
Queer artists have reclaimed the art world, bringing their unique queer aesthetics to the forefront. Through performances and visual arts, queer expression is becoming increasingly visible in the mainstream art scene. Some artists take a research-driven approach, others explore queer bodies and identities, while some work through abstract painting, among many other methods. Queer aesthetics is evolving in diverse ways, and in this discussion, the speakers will share their individual approaches. The conversation will also address the importance of disrupting traditional art and performance spaces to create more inclusive environments.
4. Screening Queerness: Cinema, Censorship, and Cultural Advocacy
Thursday, March 6th | 7.00 PM (JKT/BKK/HCMC) / 8.00 PM (KL/SG/MNL)
Speakers:
Ineza Roussille (Malaysia), Htet Aung Lwyn (Myanmar), Atikah Zainidi (Brunei Darussalam/Paris), Hong Anh (Vietnam/Germany)
Moderator: Bonnibel Rambatan (Indonesia) | Discussant: Sinta Wibowo (Southeast Asia/Belgium)
When we talk about films, we often mention the limited access to funding, the complex requirements to get a project screened, and the challenges of censorship. When it comes to queer films, there are added layers of risk, both for the filmmakers and the subjects represented—especially in societies shaped by cis-heteronormativity and authoritarian regimes. This panel will offer insights into how filmmakers and festival organizers navigate these obstacles while using diverse approaches to celebrate and showcase queer stories.
5. Southeast Asia Prides: Spaces of Queer Joy and Activism
Friday, March 7th | 7.00 PM (JKT/BKK/HCMC) / 8.00 PM (KL/SG/MNL)
Speakers:
Natalino Ornai Guterres (Dili Pride, Timor Leste), Louela Marie V. Prado (IloIlo Pride, The Philippines), Purba Widyana (QLC, Indonesia), Quang Tran (Hanoi Pride, Vietnam)
Moderator: Megan Steven (Malaysia) | Discussant: Jirajade Wisetdonwail (Bangkok Pride, Thailand)
Pride has become an important part of activism in certain parts of Southeast Asia, celebrated not only as a tribute to the Stonewall Uprising but also as a way to bring together queer communities and allies in both joy and activism. In some places, due to safety concerns, Pride events are kept more low-key. In other areas, Pride has grown into a major tourist attraction. What often goes undiscussed, however, is how organizers navigate the complexities of planning and managing Pride events—balancing security concerns while ensuring the celebration remains vibrant and enjoyable for all.
