We have seen positive efforts in terms of decriminalisation of same-sex sexual acts in India (2018), Bhutan (2021), Singapore (2022) and most recently Cook Islands (2023). However, seventeen countries in the region still have colonial laws prohibiting consensual sex between men.

The session aims to raise awareness for LGBTQI+ rights and the lives of those who are from countries with criminalization laws, and profiling the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress that has been centerfold for numerous celebrations and events related to the decriminalization of LGBTQI+.