The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines celebrated IDAHO 2018 by distributing infographic poster version of the Commission’s Protocol on ‘Handling Cases Involving Persons of Diverse SOGIE’ especially for the guidance of frontline officers.

Staff also participated in placard making in preparation for participation in Metro Manila Pride March in June. Employee-volunteer-advocates went to each office to discuss about the relevance of the celebration and the need to be capacitated on SOGIE to fully fulfill our mandate as Gender Ombud.

Announcement before May 17:

This year, The ‘traditional’ Grand LGBTS Flores de Mayo will be held at the Covered Court in Brgy Krus na Ligas in Quezon City

Grand Flores de Mayo Pride (or SaGaylahan Festival) is a mobile event comprised of a parade around the area and a final program of award winning, speeches from supporters and music.

In the past years, the main participants were the Sagalistas – persons in flowery gowns parading alone or accompanied by male-identified escorts known as the Konsortes. Each Sagalista is encouraged to have either a canopy or an arch designed by each participating group with a statement for social awareness and call for acceptance and/or with the title of the Sagalista e.g. Reyna Elena, Reyna Emperatriz, Reyna Delas Flores.

Find out more about the organisers on their website and about passed Grand Flores de Mayo Prides here.

LBTS Christian Church INC is lead by Rev. Crescencio ‘Ceejay” Agbayani Jr. and is an independent, free church for the LGBT community in the Philippines and in Asia.

Gran LGBTS Flores de May Pride 2014

The Association of Transgender People in the Philippines (ATP) had prepared for two events this year. One was held in Cebu City on May 17 and the grand celebration on May 23 held in Quezon city, Metro Manila. Together with Gender Proud, the Human Rights Campaign and Arcus Foundation they had a big event on May 16 with a fitting country celebration of IDAHOT 2015 by a simple collective “silent protest” or demonstration to up the ante in the clamor for the passage of local and national anti-discrimination legislation and policy to protect LGBTs in the Philippines.

This event included a “Call for Action” to raise transgender rights awareness and campaign to stop transgender-related violence and discrimination in all parts of the country.

Facebook post on ATP page on May 17

Last year, ATP led the IDAHOT country celebrations with a groundbreaking event called “TransSantacruzan”. That was the very first march where over 80 equally beautiful trans beauty queens paraded on the streets of QC to dramatize their campaign for freedom of expression.

Today, Gender Proud and the Association of Transgender People in the Philippines, along with the Arcus Foundation and Human Rights Campaign (HRC) together with our partner organizations TG Colors, Bisdak Pride, HAPI, Rainbow Rights-Cebu, Moovz LGBT Social Network and Transmen for Equality and Awareness Movement (TEAM) including individual allies, “STAND UP” against transphobia and homophobia.

We stand in solidarity with the whole world as we celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) today, May 17, 2015. We find it fitting and proper to collectively “Call for Action” to affirmatively respond to cases of hate crimes and gender-based violence especially against trans individuals in the Philippines and in places around the world where gender non-conforming people don’t have free and secure space to thrive and be who they are.

To all those LGBTs who suffer discrimination and violence, we would lke you to know that we share your struggle and we stand alongside with you!

STOP TRANSPHOBIA AND HOMOPHOBIA NOW!!!

Announcement before May 17 (Update coming soon):

Also in Quezon City the LGBT student group Up Babaylan will hold a special live art and spoken word event at the Moonleaf Tea Shop. The event, entitled ‘Things Left Unspoken … A Homo Erotica Event’, will feature live performance, art and spoken word themed around LGBT issues.

This year’s Homo Erotica focuses on sentiments and ideas that we were too afraid to say out loud, the what ifs and could have beens. The LGBT community empathizes with the theme because of our hesitation to tell everyone what we want and who we are because of fear, stigma and discrimination.

In partnership with UP Graphic, Words Anonymous, and WABS Printing & Equipment Rentals

Live art with Tokwa Peñaflorida and animator Chi Jihan. Spoken Words from Chad de Guzman, and Juan Miguel Rivera Severo, Salome Orbeta, Louise Meets, and Henri Joshua Igna from Words Anonymous. And performances from Xavier and Zari Bilon, and Lance Jericho Reblando.

For more information on the event visit the official Facebook event page.

The Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines, Project Red Ribbon, and FEIST Magazine joined the global call to “Stand for LGBTQI Youth: Fight for Visibility, Respect, and Equality.”

Join us this Sunday, May 17 | 2PM at the Liwasang Aurora Quezon City Memorial Circlefor an empowering afternoon where we call on members of the community, our families, friends, allies, and our local government to help us make the Philippines a safe space for all LGBTQI Filipinos. Let us fight for the right to love and the freedom to be.

With musical performances by Cara Decenteceo, spoken word performances by Jamie delos Reyes of White Wall Poetry, Cha Roque of DAKILA, Mitch Alcantara, Luis Batchoy, and more. Plus an ecumenical service by the Philippine Network of Metropolitan Community Churches and National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

We will also have the IDAHOT solidarity march together with the solidarity concert for the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2015 led by KZ Tandingan, Rachel Alejandro, Jonalyn Viray, and other special guests.

The event was a joined commemoration of IDAHOT and the International Candlelight Aids Memorial. Find more details here.

Also in Quezon City at 2pm on Sunday, the event “Speak Your Truth: A Solidarity Concert for IDAHOT & IACM in the Philippines”

In Mandaue in the province of Cebu, On May 16, Saturday 2015, the Association of Transgender People in the Philippines and Gender Proud together with the Human Rights Campaign and Arcus Foundation ended a big LGBT event with a fitting country celebration of IDAHOT 2015 by a simple collective “silent protest” or demonstration to up the ante in the clamor for the passage of local and national anti-discrimination legislation and policy to afford protection to LGBTs in the Philippines.
This event was also be a “Call for Action” to raise transgender rights awareness and campaign to stop transgender-related violence and discrimination in all parts of the country.

SANGGUNIANG PAMBANSA NG MGA SIMBAHAN SA PILIPINAS
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Celebrating 50 years of ecumenical obedience and witness

Statement for International AIDS Candlelighting Memorial and International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia

On this twin occasion of International AIDS Candlelighting Memorial (IACM) and International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) on May 17, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) calls us and all to prayer. We remember those who have died of AIDS. Even as we do we celebrate that through the years important lessons have been drawn to curb the rise of HIV transmission and AIDS-related deaths. The HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Department of Health reported that the combined statistics of homosexual and bisexual contact comprise 68% of the modes of HIV transmission among children and adolescents from January 1984 to March 2015. This unfortunately has reinforced the misconception among Filipinos that HIV and AIDS are diseases only of gays, bisexuals, transgender people, and other males who have sex with males. At NCCP, we clarify this misconception by recognizing that HIV risk is about risky behaviors and environments and not about people’s sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. The prevailing culture of homophobia and transphobia creates a risky environment that increases vulnerabilty to HIV. We confess that our faith expressions have contributed to the spread of HIV and of AIDS by our approach to gender, sex and sexuality. This contributed to homophobia and transphobia leading to the marginalization and “othering” of LGBT people. The result is the stigma and discrimination of LGBT people that in turn force them to live double lives and nurture chronically negative self-images. This negative self-image leads to risky behaviour with fatal results. This marginalization creates a disabling environment that affects gravely the LGBT’s uptake of services associated with HIV and to have the right to lead productive and healthy lives. In joining these observances we celebrate the 1990 decision of the World Health Organization to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. We also celebrate the efforts of mental health organizations in the country to remove the stigma of mental illness which has long been associated with diverse sexualities and to promote the well-being of LGBT people since then.

LGBT activists in the Philippines marked the IDAHOT 2014, starting in the first week of May.

The Grand Reunion

Dubbed as a pre-launch of IDAHOT celebration in the Philippines, “The Grand Reunion: (L)ets (G)et (B)old (T)onight” party on May 3 was organized by LGBT Pinoy, Association of Transgender People in the Philippines and TransMan Pilipinas. Taking place in one of Manila’s famous clubs, and featuring icons from the country’s LGBT community, the party aimed to infuse the awareness of the Day within the Philippines’ LGBT communities and allies.

Young Queer’s Fashion Show performance at the Grand Reunion Party

Progressive faith communities take action

Faith-based organization, Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City, Aurora, Cubao Center, were also amongst those who commemorated the Day. On May 14, they held another pre-IDAHOT event through faith-themed discussion titled “Embodying IDAHOT: Facing Biases & Inner Biatches Towards Personal Transformation & Effective Social Action.” On the Day itself they also screened LGBT-related short movies to church members.

Still in the theme of faith, Kapatid LGBT of Quezon City also marked the Day by inviting LGBT activists and allies from different communities in Manila and nearby provinces to hold a public march at Welcome Rotonda on May 16.

Student groups join the IDAHOT 2014

Student organizations were also actively involved in the commemoration of the Day. Among them was EU Bahaghari, a student organization of Enverga University whose vision is to support LGBT students to be at the future forefront of the LGBT movement. The organization produced a joint statement, together with other student student organizations, in support of equal rights for LGBT people. They also launched a “Pride Pedestrian Lane” in Lucena City, and organised a Gender Empowerment discussion and film screening.

HSBC Philippines’ staff wear purple

HSBC Philippines also marked the Day by encouraging its employees to wear purple on the last working day before the Day (Friday, May 16).

HSBC Staff Poster encouraging staff to wear purple for IDAHOT 2014

Another action of the Day took place in a form a beauty parade. “Trans-Santacruzan,” was mounted by ATP as the lead organisation in partnership with the QC Pride Council and other LGBT orgs, including Gandas Filipinas. The name Trans-Santacruzan is a play on ‘Santacruzan’, a festival which is traditionally held in the month of May to express the Marian devotion of Christians in the Philippines. An estimated 70 transgender men and women, including supermodel Geena Rocero, joined the parade.

The Trans-Santacruzan Parade | Courtesy of Ganda Filipinas

Art project and exhibition

GANDA Filipinas is also a partner of “Revelations,” a collaborative art exhibit featuring the work and images of LGBT artists and individuals. The exhibit opened at 9 p.m. on 27 May 2014, Tuesday at 71 Gramercy to mark the Day and the 10th anniversary of one of the very first LGBT-themed shows on TV (GMA 7) “Out!” and as part of the push for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB) sponsored by Rep. Kaka Bag-ao among others in Congress and by Senator Bam Aquino in the Senate.

Photo source: Quezon City Pride Council Facebook page

Grand Flores de Mayo Pride (or SaGaylahan Festival)  is a mobile event comprised of a two-kilometer walk of paraders around Barangay Sangandaan, Proj 8 Quezon City, Philippines, and a final program of award winning, speeches from supporters, followed by some musical and dance numbers.

The main participants are the Sagalistas- about 50 dozen persons dressed up in flowery feminine gowns and parading alone or accompanied by male-identified escorts known as the Konsortes. Each Sagalista is encouraged to have either a canopy or an arch designed by each participating group with a statement for social awareness and call for acceptance and/or with the title of the Sagalista e.g. Reyna Elena, Reyna Emperatriz, Reyna Delas Flores. The canopy or arch is carried by a number of assistants, depending on the size. In between the Sagalistas and Konsortes are other paraders holding lighted candles, lamps and flower bouquets. Some groups can bring their banners and signage for their own statements or call, such as Marriage Equality, Passing of the Anti-Discrimination Bill etc. The parade ends at the designated plaza and the Sagalistas and their Konsortes are introduced on stage. After the parade, awards are given to best gowns, the prettiest Sagalista, best canopies/arches and other categories.

For more information of the event and to register for the Pride visit the event’s Facebook page.

For more details on the Quezon City Pride Council, visit their page.
You can find more information on the Proj8 LGBT Association on Facebook.
LGBTS Christian Church Inc homepage can be found here.

EU Bahaghari, a Student Organization in Lucena City, is currently organising several actions for May 17.

• Creating Joint statement from Other Student Organizations for the support of equal rights for LGBT people
• Launching a “Pride Pedestrian Lane” in Lucena City
• Gender Empowerment discussion and film screening

EU Bahaghari also created an infografic in cooperation with the IDAHO Committee that asks people and organisations around the world to submit support statements and to join this year’s IDAHOT Actions:

IDAHOT – Free Expression

Recognizing May 17 as the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), the EU Bahaghari invites organization to speak up on LGBT rights through Free Expression.

The International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (“IDAHOT”) was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policy makers, opinion leaders, social movements, the media, and the public at large to promote a world of tolerance, respect and freedom regardless of people’s sexual orientation or gender identity. IDAHOT is now celebrated in more than 120 countries across the globe in varied ways and expressions.

While we celebrate the advancements that countries worldwide have made in recognizing the rights of LGBT people, We are disrupted by the continued frequency of incidents concerning LGBT persons being harassed, humiliated, or denied entry to organizations on the basis of their appearance and identity.

We believe that every person deserves a chance to pursue happiness and live a life without discrimination, judgement and violence. We envision a future where a people are treated equally, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

In recognition of the progress made and the challenges ahead, the EU Bahaghari invites organizations to submit support statement for the celebration of IDAHO (posters, infographics, pictures, postcards, videos, etc) themed as “LGBT Rights are Human Rights” and “I am a Free Expression Zone” to create awareness of LGBT rights and the particular realities of young LGBT people, all submissions will be featured on Bahaghari and IDAHOT website, International IDAHOT social media campaign and during the Bahaghari exhibit on May 17, 2014.

Statements can be sent on eubahaghari@gmail.com with subject line “Support Statement for IDAHOT 2014″ no later than May 10, 2014. Please include name, organization, residency, email address and contact number.

Connect with us:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eubahaghari
Email Address: eubahaghari@gmail.com
Wordpress: eubahaghari.wordpress.com

TAGAY for IDAHO

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people and straight allies joined business owners on May 17 at Cubao X in a toast to celebrate their commitment to create safe spaces.

Participants at TAGAY for IDAHO !

“We live in a world where we NEED to safeguard our freedom.  Ours is a world that unfortunately discriminates against diversity – and so we need to protect that at all costs.” said Sandy Beltran of The Reading Room who opened the program as representative of the business owners. Beltran added that “acceptance is for most of the masses not an instinctive mindset, rather one nurtured by environment, education, and relationships.”

Cubao X business owners then signed a commitment to continue their practice of acceptance and nondiscrimination. The signing was immediately followed by the celebratory toast. Similar toasts against discrimination were simultaneously held in Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu, and Davao.

In his closing remarks, Ron de Vera, IDAHO Spokesperson, reiterated that “business owners, people in a position of power, have a responsibility to respect the rights of those who work for them as well as those they work for.” “Policy change is not the only solution to eliminating discrimination. But it is definitely a step in the right direction” said de Vera.

The event also marked the launch of the Safe Space Campaign, a program that aims to eliminate discrimination through policy change.

This year’s IDAHO celebration concluded with “Hayag,” a collection of coming out monologues staged by DAKILA at Boho Sarapsody Bistro.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ron de Vera

Spokesperson, IDAHO Manila Network

09209087012 / rondevera@gmail.com

Embrace diversity, fight stigma and discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders 

Very special Life Learners session on May 14, Wednesday

The events will start at 6:30PM at the MCC Quezon City Aurora, Cubao Center.

This is a pre-IDAHOT activity that will feature a discussion on Embodying IDAHOT: Facing Biases & Inner Biatches Towards Personal Transformation & Effective Social Action. It will also include a short film viewing and a MANDALA-MAKING Activity!

Organiser is the Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City (MCCQC)

We have a fun, informative and creative night planned for all of you. First timers and guests are welcome to join us. See you!

(L)et’s (G)et (B)old (T)onight!

The event is jointly organised by LGBT Pinoy, the Association of Transgender People in the Philippines (ATP) and the Association of Transgender Men in the Philippines (ATMP).

Organisers say that “the event is not purely fun and party. It is educational and historical too, as we depict one of our country’s historical highlights – The Cry of Pugad Lawin. In their time, Filipinos tore off their tax certificates to symbolize their freedom from slavery. LGBT Pinoy team, in the present time, plan to wear hospital wristbands at the start of the event. After the educational and inspirational talks and numbers, the team plans to tear the said wristbands to symbolize that LGBT are not diseased, both individually and as a community, and that we are freeing ourselves from the burden of any kind of discrimination.”

They also explained about the name of the event: “the representation of the letters in LGBT are merged and called into unison – bold enough to bridge any diversity, and brave enough to fight and shout for equality.”

The event will feature LGBT icons of yesterday and today in different fields.

Further details of the event are still being polished by the team. It will be held on the 3rd of May, 2014, in Quezon.

For more info see:

Event page on facebook
Association of Transgender People in the Philippines
Find more detail about LGBT Pinoy on their page.

Day of action at Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City on May 16

On May 16, there will be a day of action to highlight key issues of Pinoy LGBTs especially homophobia and transphobia at home, in schools, and at the workplace. Participants from different communities in Manila and nearby provinces will hold a short program at Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City, including a marching walk. It will start at 2pm.

This activity aims to:

1. Draw media attention to the issue of homophobia and transphobia,
2. Demand attention from policymakers and engage in lobbying activities, &
3. Gather like-minded organisations and develop new partnerships.

STORIES OF BEING ME: A Film Showing

As the UP Center for Women’s Studies’ way of commemorating this year’s International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, they have partnered with Being LGBT in Asia, UNDP Philippines, B-Change and USAID Philippines and organised a screening of several short films that deal with the lives, issues and challenges of LGBT people across Asia. ‘Stories of Being Me’ is a campaign that supports the well-being of young sexual and gender minorities. Friends, family and allies, are all invited to come to the UP Film Center on 16 May (Friday) 5:30PM. This fabulous rainbow event is free and open to the public, so bring your friends and share this message to as many people as you can.
Visit their Facebook page for more details.

UPFI Film Center, Magsaysay cor Osmena Aves., University of the Philippines Diliman
Quezon City, Metro Manila 1101

Two training seminars were held in Manila: The first, in conjunction with the Commission on Human Rights and the US Embassy in Manila, was a three-day workshop entitled “If You Prick Us, Do We Not Bleed? – A Gender Sensitivity and Human Rights Training on LGBT Issues”. The training involved about 30 representatives from government agencies and civil society and was aimed at equipping government agencies and civic groups with the appropriate perspective, knowledge and skills on handling human rights issues based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The second was a Policy Study Session at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), where for the first time LGBT issues will be tackled in relation to DSWD mandates and the social protection framework.

LGBT activists took to the streets of Manila in a march to the Commission of Human Rights to present an updated list of murdered Filipino LGBTs. The event was held in memory of the 156 Filipino LGBTs who have been murdered since 1996 – 16 of those in 2012 alone. Activists called on the government to acknowledge that hate crimes against LGBT people, and the homophobia and transphobia underpinning them, are serious problems that must be given due attention; to ensure that government agencies take the lead in addressing the growing number of LGBT hate crimes; and to demand that the government help raise awareness about hate crimes against LGBT people.

Activists also held an LGBT Grand Rally for the Passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill and the National Day Against Homophobia Bill. The third annual Flores De Mayo LGBT Pride march was also held in Manila with the theme “Stop Bullying: Save Our Children”. The event was aimed at raising awareness about discrimination and promoting visibility, acceptance and LGBT pride.

Stressing that the promotion of equality was everyone’s issue, activists also launched the “I dare to care about equality” photographic campaign, calling for everyone to take a more proactive stance in fighting discrimination.

In addition, activists in Cebu staged the Rainbow Friendship Games.