Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Supporting AngLadlad
Another interview with a gay PhD student from Singapore, made me remember AngLadlad's roots. By asking about our simple history, I realized our foundation in the Filipino LGBT Advocacy movement. Clearly good-intentioned, his questions made me reconsider AngLadlad's platform and imagine new ways of explaining its relevance to every Filipino, LGBT or not.
I also gave an interview to a group of MassCom students from FEU doing a project on investigative journalism. They wanted to document LGBT abuse and violence especially with transgenders. Recounting the numerous "horror stories" we've encountered through the years, I realized our work is never done, but everyday we meet potential allies and supporters in the most unexpected places. I earnestly asked these students to do justice to these life stories and to be true to the cause of investigative journalism.
Speaking with these young people, both LGBTs and straight, I renewed my faith in Philippine society. Change may yet happen in this lifetime.
This piece is for you, Sanie, Wendell, and Molly, et.al. You have unknowingly supported AngLadlad's cause without you realizing how significant your contributions were.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Questions
It is unfortunate that many members of the sector we seek to represent know nothing about the struggles of the LGBT Community or of the LGBT rights advocates' efforts in the past decade or so. This "ignorance" can't be attributed to the fact that maybe they are un-affiliated or un-politicized, but maybe because they are affluent and comfortable enough where they are, that they don't experience the everyday discrimination or homophobia majority of our LGBT brothers and sisters still face. But ever wonder why Inday Garutay and BB Gandanghari can be banned from entering certain bars and clubs, why Janjan of the Cebu Canister Scandal was humiliated by medical professionals and students while seeking medical help, why many young LGBTs are sanctioned or disciplined by their schools, and even educated and skilled LGBTs can't get decent jobs because their sexual orientation is an issue with employers? And I haven't told you half the "horror stories" we've heard and experienced ourselves...
Part of the problem is the lack of appropriate laws which address the unique concerns of the LGBT Community. The Anti-Discrimination bill hasn't been passed by the Philippine Congress in almost a decade of filing and re-filing. On the other hand, there have been laws which have been passed that while they seek to protect children or women, they have unintentionally been detrimental to the LGBT Community. Old laws still prevail which impact negatively on Filipino LGBTs and these must be repealed if true gender equality is to be achieved.
The Philippine LGBT Rights Advocacy Movement has been around for almost 15 years. Our job hasn't gotten easier with B.Abante's bill punishing same-sex couples' co-habitation or Ruffy Biazon's bill further limiting marriage to "natural-born" men and women.
At AngLadlad's National Consultation last Feb27, your representatives were well-chosen. All are openly LGBTs, veteran LGBT advocates and developmental workers in their own right, from fields ranging from sociology, law, and HIV/AIDS work. And they all know what it means to be "marginalized".
Help us spread the word of what we stand for and what we seek to do for the LGBT Community. Choose AngLadlad as your partylist.
Phil Laws for LGBTs
A few days later I posted something of a background on the Anti-Discrimination Bill which floundered in Congress for years, and the politicians/legislators the Filipino LGBT Community put its hopes on. One can glean from the discussion the reasons why there still hasn't been an LGBT-friendly law that has been passed until now.
The participants of R-Rights' recent Gender Sensitivity and Human Rights Training hopefully understand things better now - why Filipino LGBTs still suffer discrimination and homophobia everyday, where they stand under Philippine law and what remedies are available to them, and what other recourse they have.
The answer is simple - we need new and better laws which address our own issues and protect our rights as Filipino LGBTs. If the veteran legislators tried to do this for us, wouldn't we be in a better position to speak about what we need and want for ourselves?
Knwoing Who To Vote For
Back when our advocacy efforts required constantly appearing on TV talk shows when there was nothing interesting going on in media, poor Danton Remoto was a featured guest on Channel 2. While he debated with the CBCP's token representative on religious grounds you would think Danton would get a more logical comment from the show's co-host and prominent lawyer. But no, when Danton insisted that gays are entitled to respect "because we are human beings too", CompaƱero blurted out, "Are you sure?" His two offsprings are now in the Senate and I am not sure if they share their late father's bigotry.
Miriam Defensor-Santiago has been a loose cannon ever since. Her legislative proposals included the Senate version of the anti-discrimination bill and an amendment to the Family Code provision on the validity of marriages celebrated abroad. People mostly remember that the latter measure since it would bar gay marriages held abroad from getting recognized in the Philippines. In all fairness to her, she has regularly employed members of the LGBT Community without prejudice to their sexual orientation.
The mother and son team of Loi and Jinggoy Estrada, were not much of a force to contend with at the Senate. Probably because of their affiliation, they were considered "light-weights" in the legislative arena. But along with Bong Revilla, they were the few brave souls who filed a Senate version of the Anti-Discrimination. That was the time when Kiko Pangilinan headed the Social Justice and Human Rights Committee and never once put the Anti-Discrimination Bill in the agenda for a TWG or hearing because "it was not a priority" of the Senate.
Bong, in spite of his macho image, acquiesced to his father's wishes and filed the bill because Ramon, Sr. insisted, saying, "kailangan nyan ng mga kapatid natin sa industriya." Simple words of support from a simple man.
In the House of Representatives, Akbayan representatives constantly pushed for the ADB. Etta Rosales even had a heated exchange with the notorious homophobe Cong. Abante once. It was such a pity, because back when other partylist reps from Bayan Muna and Gabriela sat in the House Human Rights Committee, the Committee's composition was superb. I remember when former UPLB classmate, Migs Zubiri presided over one of the Committee hearings, the measure was passed as is w/o much debate and was unanimously endorsed by the Committee for plenary.
These presidentiables who are now running for the highest office in the land, once graced an LGBT forum by LAGABLAB. As is their wont, they would promise you anything and everything. Representatives of Roxas and Gordon were present and assured us of support once in the Senate. These guys didn't file anything for the Community's benefit once they got the seats they wanted. They wouldn't even touch our legislative brief of the ADB with a 10-foot pole.
These are just some "historical" facts. The LGBT Community had put its faith in the hands of these legislators before. Some tried, some were clearly disappointing. Of late, we have somehow generated support from Loren Legarda and Joker Arroyo after the AngLadlad vs Comelec issue. But much is still to be seen from the rest of our legislators in terms of support for the Filipino LGBT Community.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
What AngLadlad Stands For
SOCIETAL VISION
A society free from gender-based oppression, prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping.
ORGANIZATIONAL VISION
Ang Ladlad is an inclusive, sustainable, responsive and competent national LGBTIQ organization that endeavors to consolidate, empower, strengthen and represent the LGBTIQ community.
MISSION
1. To advocate for the protection and promotion of the human rights of LGBTIQ.
2. To raise awareness and sensitize Philippine society about LGBTIQ issues and concerns.
3. To facilitate access to justice for LGBTIQs.
4. To initiate economic and social support projects for LGBTIQs, especially those marginalized.
5. To organize and mobilize Filipino LGBTIQ communities at local, national and international levels.
6. To enable LGBTIQs to participate in policy and program development addressing LGBTIQ concerns and other related issues.
7.To establish and sustain partnerships with relevant stakeholders and community partners for purposes of joint collaborative efforts.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
2009 Recap
But the facebook application "my year in fotos" allowed me just that opportunity. And as I said, the collage was a real pick-me-up. I realized my year was totally worth it - I got a lot of things done and I was glad for meeting a lot of new people since there were some departures in my life as well.
Looking at my foto albums, I also realized that I did get around this year even if there were no out-of-the-country trips for me. I got the chance to visit old places I've been to, but saw them with new eyes - particularly because of the people I was seeing them with. So Baguio, Cebu and even Tagaytay still seemed exciting and fun for me.
Workwise, I went around as usual lecturing on the Expanded Senior Citizens Law and even organized a National Training-Workshop to put to rest nagging questions about elderly rights and benefits under Republic Act 9257. Somehow, I also got assigned to do regional consultations-orientations on RA 9523 or the administrative procedure for the declaration of abandonment of children before being legally available for adoption. I only got to do one region, Leyte and Samar area, but I got the the most relevant feedback on implementation issues I think.
Of course, my LGBT advocacy work continued and it brought me outside Manila as well. Rainbow Rights Project finally got the chance to reach out to other LGBT orgs in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Baguio. It was quite an opportune time since AngLadlad was also doing extra groundwork for its second attempt at partylist accreditation w/ the Comelec.
While LGBT rights advocacy somehow flourished during the year, it regained its newfound relevance when several negative events happened. This began with Comelec's denial of AngLadlad's application for partylist accreditation, the presence of religious fundamentalists at the annual Pride March in Malate, and even Rep. Abante's vociferous statements against the Filipino LGBT Community. Using his legislative advantage, Abante proposed a bill criminalizing same-sex cohabitation and launched another attack on the anti-discrimination bill filed by Akbayan representatives for the Filipino LGBTs.
All in all, 2009 was also a time for family and friends. People coming back into my life , some leaving for good, and others staying inspite of all the difficulties. And I cherish each and every moment with them.
Turning A New Leaf
On Hope
I was depressed around Xmas, but the minute January 1, 2010 crept in, I suddenly had an epiphany. (Ok, so it was actually 5 minutes before midnight, Jen was still in Makati and Hijo Mio was joining in the New Year racket with his barking.) I fell into a prayerful mood, took stock of my life, and still managed to be grateful for all that I had - and that includes acute laryngitis, bills to pay, and carry-over work from last year. But the promise of a new day, second chances and new opportunities made me quite hopeful.
On Staying Positive
The next day, I started two of my new year's resolutions - I went back to hearing mass and walking (for exercise) to our nearby parish. As a baptized Catholic, I always believed it was good practice to start your year right with a long conversation with God. After mass, as Jeni requested, I lit several candles for us. A white one, which for me symbolized faith and hope, a blue candle for inner peace and calm, a yellow one for joy and happiness, a pink candle for love and friendship, and a green one for an abundance of blessings - be it material wealth, loving people in my life or new doors opening for us. The positive feeling stayed with me and upon seeing a DSWD Undersecretary with me in church, I cheerfully greeted her a Happy New Year when I would normally scurry quickly out the door.
On Charity
At Puregold the next day, doing my grocery shopping, I had another resolution - to be more charitable and to give even when it hurts. I figured the poor folk begging in the streets were still worse off than I, who had a job albeit low-paying at that, a roof over my head, and people who cared enough for my welfare. If I was feeling sad about the measly bonuses government employees got, I could only imagine how these homeless and starving people celebrated their holiday season seeing the affluence of others around them.
On Work
Sunday, I asked Jeni for permission to do a little advocacy work w/ fellow LGBTs. We were finishing up with AngLadlad's petition to the Supreme Court and I was meeting up with some friends. Working through the holidays, I learned what true dedication was really about as volunteer lawyers labored over our petition, researched for legal sources to quote, and coordinated through numerous emails and text messages. I was reminded why we were doing this and for whom we were doing it - the Filipino LGBT Community's future fell upon us. We knew our type of advocacy was a thankless job, but its significance can never be emphasized enough. It, too, shall have some meaning and relevance somehow.
On Humility
Looking back at all the work I did throughout 2009, I was reminded of my own worth and significance. I realized how tiring it all was, travelling to and fro, doing back- to back lectures and talks. There were times I became cranky and belligerent, but it was always because of the effort of ensuring people take something away from my speeches. Partly, it was due to stress too and I realized I didnt need to be so tense. I knew the stuff I was talking about like the back of my hand, my materials were like my bible, and everything was already in my head that I shouldn't need to prepare at length...and this went for the stuff I wrote too. I could just relax and enjoy what I was doing. Moreover, I found that bosses comments and inputs did not undermine me at all. Their annotations and commentaries, whether actually helpful or stupid was no reflection on my abilities. So, I've decided to let them be smarter than me and just take the path of least resistance.
On Slowing Down
2009 ended with a bestfriend dying. My dog, Hannahgirl died after a mere 4 days at the vet. I was devasted because the end came too quick. Jeni and I were glad that we visited her everyday, and even took our mini pincher, Hijo Mio once. He got to say goodbye at least to his Ate Hannah. Still, we knew Xmas wouldn't be the same. Hannah already missed the Pride March w/ us. I had to admit, I was too busy in the weeks before to notice Hannah was already sick although Jeni was pointing out Hannah couldn't walk much. I was on trips and out for meetings all the time, even Jeni was complaining already.I should've spent more time with my "family" as Jeni insisted. But with both of us getting sick over the holidays, I managed to spend some quality time with Jeni and Mio. We cooked, ate, watched DVD and read together as we nursed each other back to health. I re-discovered the simple pleasures of being a homebody again. I totally enjoyed myself!
So here's to an easier life in 2010. Happy New Year!
