April 14, 2009
Dear friends,
Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) invites you to be part of the Manila Diversity & Equality Week (DEW) Project—an annual week-long celebration of diversity, equality, and justice through sports, culture and a human rights conference anchored on key days such as May 17—International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), May 21—UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, and May 22—International Day for Biological Diversity.
The Manila DEW Project is a fresh approach to human rights activism bringing grassroots lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and intersexed (LGBTI) and people involved in socio-economic, gender, cultural, and environmental justice issues together in a week of fun-filled, educational and inspiring activities. Drawing attention to the intersection of sexuality and gender with economic, social, cultural, and solidarity (development and environment) rights and forms of discrimination, the week will start with a human rights conference marking Manila Day for Sexual and Gender Diversity and Equality and IDAHO. The next days will then be dedicated to Filipino athleticism and camaraderie as groups play patintero, chinese garter, piko, sungka, volleyball, bowling, running and many more with the 1st Manila DEW Games: Sports and Philippine Games for Diversity and Equality. After the sports and games, awards and prizes will be handed out and a community event called ‘Fly a Hundred Kites for Diversity and Equality’ will symbolically highlight the calls for the respect and preservation of diversity and equality in Philippine society and for the respect and preservation of biodiversity and the environment.
TEAM PILIPINAS is a registered non-stock, non-profit organization working to promote and strengthen human rights, sexual and gender diversity and equality, and peace through research and advocacy in sports, culture, sexuality and human rights in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific and the world. Through the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames Legacy Fund, an initiative supporting events, projects and activities that enhance and further sport, culture and human rights for the rainbow communities of the Asia Pacific, TEAM PILIPINAS was able to secure a small amount to start the 1st Manila DEW Project.
Help make the 1st Manila Diversity and Equality Week a success through your participation and involvement. There will be a registration fee to support grassroots participants. Your organization is also encouraged to put up a side event that echoes the mission of the Diversity and Equality Week.
Should you have more questions regarding the Manila DEW Project and our work, feel free to contact us by email at diversityandequalityweek@gmail.com or by phone at +63-9162826781. You may also check out our Facebook group at http://groups.to/maniladewproject/.
Sincerely yours,
Bruce Portugal Amoroto
President – Coordinator, TEAM PILIPINAS