Abicakra is a trans rights advocate with over 10 years of experience working at the crossroads of economic empowerment and human rights. Understanding the stigma and discrimination against trans and gender-diverse people in Indonesia inspired him to work with other transmen to build a movement and advocate for their rights. In 2015, he co-founded Transmen Indonesia, the nation's first transmen and transmasculine network. Abicakra became a Regional Board Member of Youth Voices Count to broaden their network and collaboration. He developed the "Travel to BroThers" project in partnership with Transmen Indonesia and Youth Voices Count to support transmen/transmasculine communities in Lampung, East Java, and North Sumatra through community mobilization and capacity-building. With Youth Voices Count, he's also worked in conducting some research about HIV prevention among young gay, MSM, and transgender people in Southeast Asia.
Currently, Abi serves as a transman representative on the Advisory Board of the Arus Pelangi, a nationwide federation of LGBTIQ+ communities in Indonesia. He also serves as the Board of Directors Treasurer of Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE) representing the Asia region, as well as a member of the International Working Group on Transmen and HIV. In 2023, he contributed to the development of the "Policy Brief on The Inclusion of Trans Men in the Global HIV and Development Responses" which addressed policy advocacy for transmen and gender-diverse people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
Throughout his advocacy, Abi has made significant contributions to the community by offering a support system, supporting medical and legal transitions, and writing articles about transmen-related issues in Bahasa Indonesia. Abi developed and distributed "Pocketbook: Understanding Transmen" in Bahasa Indonesia in 2018 in partnership with Transmen Indonesia and Persatuan Priawan Indonesia. This open-access e-book continues to be the primary source of information for younger trans men and aids the transmen community in navigating their lives. To sustain the movement, Abi provides personal mentorship to future transmen community leaders, allowing them to expand the cause in their communities.
Abicakra holds a BSc in Management from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada.
10 years ago, there was a lack of representation of transman in the national LGBTIQ movement and advocacy. Visibility is a crucial aspect of challenging inequality. Today, more transmen individuals are visible and raising their voice about violence and discriminations against them. More transmen are included to civil society movements and human rights advocacy. This is a remarkable change! Because intersectionality is the quintessential spirit of any civil society movement to strengthen collective policy advocacy and address inequalities.Abicakra Mahardika