Diversity and Equality Philippines (diversityandequality.ph)

20 November 2009

Rainbow greetings!

Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) is a registered non-profit organization contributing to social change that is led and participated by young Filipinos from the grassroots who may or may not openly identify as lesbian, gay, bakla, bayot, bantut, bisexual, tomboy, transgender, transsexual, intersex (LGBTI) or as another sexual or gender minority (SGM). Through sports, culture, and human rights and sexuality advocacy TEAM PILIPINAS works to strengthen human rights, diversity, equality and peace in the Philippines and all over the world.

TEAM PILIPINAS believes that aside from experiencing violation of basic and fundamental human, economic and social rights and freedoms—rights to food, education, health, work, social security and highest attainable standard of living, most Filipino LGBTIs and SGMs continue to face stigma, discrimination, oppression, and violence for having a different sexual orientation and gender identity. The recent decision of the 2nd Division of the Commission on Elections to dismiss the petition of a LGBT party to participate in the 2010 National Elections on the bases of “moral grounds” and the alleged threat to the “well-being of the youth” is a clear manifestation that LGBTIs and SGMs in the Philippines are still looked upon negatively.

On December 5, as TEAM PILIPINAS takes part once more in the Manila Pride March, the organization will highlight the real problems faced by many Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMS—poverty, stigma and discrimination. During the daytime TEAM PILIPINAS will march under the banner of ‘DIVERSITY & EQUALITY!’ asserting that despite our sexual and gender diversity, we Filipinos are all equals under the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” And in the evening, through the ‘I AM NOT IMMORAL’ Photo and Video Project, TEAM PILIPINAS will raise the public’s awareness on the immorality issue and educate people on the stigma and discrimination faced by Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs because of the view that they are immoral, sinful, or mentally ill.

We are happy to invite you to support the work of TEAM PILIPINAS. Together, let us contribute to making the Philippines a country that recognizes, promotes, and protects the equality in dignity, rights and freedoms of each and every Filipino regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Should you have any questions regarding our work and the plans for December 5 Manila Pride March, please feel free to contact us. Thank you very much.

Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) Inc.
http://diversityandequality.ph / http://teampilipinasorg.multiply.com
teampilipinas.org@gmail.com Mobile: +63-916-2826781
SEC Registration No.: CN200816094

I AM NOT IMMORAL!
by Jethro Patalinghug

It is OUTRAGEOUS! Every bit of the person that I am tells me that it is UNACCEPTABLE. For Ang Ladlad Party to be rejected to become a duly registered sectoral party by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) because of allegations of “IMMORALITY” is an abomination to humanity, an abomination to the LGBTI community… and I take it very personally!

The statement has gone beyond the sectoral party rejection arena. It has a potential to echo into the consciousness of the already confused and fragmented society about the value and relevance of the LGBTI community. Therefore it has a potential to go against all our efforts to become more accepted and recognized as a legitimate and respectable sector of society.

WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS!

We must join all our efforts to not only control the damage that has been made, but also aggressively attack the opponent head on! Our individual expressions and reactions such as the status messages and notes here on facebook are commendable, but if we do it together in one solid form might be a stronger backlash.

Presenting!

“I AM NOT IMMORAL!”

On the night of DEC 5, the night of the PRIDE March, let us all gather and express our reactions towards the issue. Let us make our voices louder as we each say “I AM NOT IMMORAL!” through individual head shot photos to be taken by renowned photographer Niccolo Cosme and individual video clips to be directed by Jethro Patalinghug. Together these photos and video clips, when combined into a resource website and a youtube channel, will not only become a living testament to our protest but also become a readily available media for people in the worldwide web to watch. The possibilities are endless, not only our fellow Filipinos will see it but also people around the world. Let us show them that our humble community here in the Philippines can and will asserts their rights.

xx

Tags: 'HINDI AKO IMORAL', 'I AM NOT IMMORAL', 2009 Manila Pride March, diversity and equality, team pilipinas

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