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Joint statement at the UN Human Rights Council in interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, March 2010

Monday, March 8th, 2010

UN Human Rights Council, 13th session
Item 2: Interactive Dialogue with High Commissioner

Joint statement by:
International Lesbian and Gay Association (European Region), Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Akina Mama wa Afrika, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), Associação Brasileira de Gays, Lésbicas e Transgêneros (ABGLT), Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), Center for Women’s Global Leadership, COC Nederland, Frontline, International Alliance of Women, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), LBL Denmark, Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany (LSVD), Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL), Unitarian Universalist Association, World Organisation against Torture (OMCT)*

–

Thank you Mr. President,

Madam High Commissioner, we recently had the privilege of communicating to you a letter in support of your inclusion of issues of sexual orientation and gender identity in your SMP, outlined in your Annual Report, and would like to take the opportunity of reaffirming that support in this more public setting.

I now have the honour to take the floor on behalf of 97 NGOs*, including 16 with ECOSOC accreditation. We represent human rights defenders from 50 countries in every region of the globe. While we share a commitment to equality and non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, we come from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and work on a broad range of issues, including the human rights of women, migrants, HIV/AIDS issues, education, health, poverty, democratic governance, and more.

We join together across our diverse regions and experiences to thank you for your commitment to promoting and protecting the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

We appreciate your recent public statements expressing deep concerns about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda and the recent arrests in Malawi following a same-sex relationship celebration.

We also wish to express our appreciation and strong support for the explicit identification of human rights issues relating to sexual orientation in the thematic priorities of your Office, and would encourage you to also address gender identity/expression within these priorities.

These issues are of crucial and urgent human rights concern. As you will be aware, in too many countries, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people continue to face criminal sanctions, killings, violence or torture because of how we live or who we love. Lesbians are subject to so-called“curative”rape, intersex people are subject to medical abuses, transgender persons demeaned and beaten, their rights and identities unrecognised. We are denied health care or needed treatment; we routinely face discrimination in work, housing and education. In many countries, our work as human rights defenders is opposed, obstructed or banned. Our rights to peacefully gather are often denied, while attempts are made to silence our voices. Too often, the violence and abuse we endure in countries around the world goes unreported, uninvestigated and unpunished.

The opposition by some States to even recognising these as human rights violations itself highlights how important it is that violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity be explicitly addressed as thematic priorities by your Office. Inclusion of these grounds needs to be explicit, since otherwise the very States responsible for human rights violations would “interpret down” international human rights law to leave LGBTI people unprotected.

Madam High Commissioner, we know that you will face opposition from some States because of your leadership on these issues – as do all of us who work in this area. We encourage you to stay strong in the face of opposition, and know that LGBTI people around the globe look to you for leadership, take courage from your strength, and are inspired by your resolve. We commit our support to you and your Office in your work to face the challenges and ensure protection of the human rights of all people, without discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Endorsed by:

Akina Mama wa Afrika (Uganda)
ALITT (Argentina)
Alternatives-Cameroun (Cameroon)
ARC International (Canada/Switzerland)
ARCUS Foundation (USA)
Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) (Thailand/India)
Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) (Thailand)
Asociación Líderes en Acción (Colombia)
Associação Brasileira de Gays, Lésbicas e Transgêneros (ABGLT) (Brazil)
Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) (Canada/South Africa/Mexico)
Bandhu Social Welfare Society (Bangladesh)
Blue Diamond Society (Nepal)
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network (Canada)
CEDEP (Malawi)
Center for Women’s Global Leadership
Coalition of African Lesbians (South Africa)
COC Nederland (Netherlands)
Colectivo Ovejas Negras (Uruguay)
Committee for Lesbigay Rights in Burma (CLRB) (Myanmar/Burma)
Common Language (China)
Council for Global Equality (USA)
CREA (India)
Davida (Brasil)
Egale Canada (St. Lucia/Canada)
Engender (South Africa)
EQUAL GROUND (Sri Lanka)
Euroregional Center for Public Initiative (Romania)
Fellowship of Reconciliation (USA)
Freedom and Roam Uganda (Uganda)
Frontline (Ireland)
FtM Phoenix Group (Russia)
Gay and Lesbian Activist Network for Gender Equality (GALANG) Inc. (Philippines)
GAYa NUSANTARA (Indonesia)
GayJapanNews (Japan)
Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Gender DynamiX (South Africa)
Global Advocates for Trans Equality (GATE) (USA)
Global Alliance for LGBT Education (GALE) (Netherlands)
Global Justice Ministry, Metropolitan Community Churches (USA)
Global Rights (USA)
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights (USA)
Helem (Lebanon)
Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB) (Myanmar/Burma)
Human Rights Watch (USA)
Humure (Burundi)
IGLHRC-LAC (Argentina/Paraguay)
ILGA (Mexico/Belgium)
Increse Nigeria (Nigeria)
INFORM human rights documentation centre (Sri Lanka)
Integrity Uganda (Uganda)
International Alliance of Women (Switzerland/International)
International Centre for Advocacy on Rights to Health (ICARH) (Nigeria)
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) (Switzerland)
International Day against Homophobia (France)
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (USA)
International Lesbian and Gay Association (European Region) (Belgium)
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
Intersex South Africa (South Africa)
L’Association pour la Defense de L’Homsexualite (ADEFHO) (Cameroon)
Labrys (Kyrgyzstan)
Lambda Mozambique (Mozambique)
LBL Denmark (Denmark)
Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany (LSVD) (Germany)
Lesbian Group Kontra (Croatia)
Lesbian Organisation of Switzerland (Switzerland)
Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) (Malta)
Mama Cash (Netherlands)
Movimiento Antidiscriminatorio de Liberación (Argentina)
Mulabi (Argentina)
National MSM and HIV Policy Advocacy and Human Rights Task Force (India)
Norwegian organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights (Norway)
Open Society Institute (USA)
Organización de Transexuales por la Dignidad de la Diversidad (OTD) (Chile)
OUT LGBT Well-being (South Africa)
Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (Tonga)
Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) (Philippines)
Prostitutes Interest-organisation in Norway (PION) (Norway)
Protection International (Nepal/Brussels)
Red Lésbica Cattrachas (Honduras)
Right Society (Russia)
Runa Institute (Peru)
Secret De SDHH (Argentina)
Sexual Minorities Against AIDS in Nigeria (SMAAN) (Nigeria)
Skeivt Forum (Norway)
Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) (Guyana)
Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India (SAATHII) (India)
Spectrum Uganda Initiatives (Uganda)
Supporting Our Youth (Canada)
Suriname Men United (Suriname)
Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL) (Sweden)
TARSHI (India)
TransColumbia (Colombia)
Transgender Network Netherlands (Netherlands)
UHAI: East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative (Kenya)
Unitarian Universalist Association (USA)
Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) (Philippines)
World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) (Switzerland)
Youth Coalition for Sexual Reproductive Rights (Canada)

See link of same letter at International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) – Europe

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Women’s March Against Violence on March 8, 2010 / Martsa ng Kababaihan Laban sa Karahasan sa Marso 8, 2010

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) invites Filipino LGBTs and other sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) to join the march. The liberation of women is an important aspect of the liberation of LGBTs and other SGMs. TEAM PILIPINAS will bring its 40-meter rainbow flag at the event. See you all there! To contact TEAM PILIPINAS, email teampilipinas.org@gmail.com

Iniimbitahan ng Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) ang lahat ng Pilipinong lesbiyana, gay, bakla, bayot, bantut, bisexual, tomboy, transgender, transsexual, intersex (LGBTI) at iba pang sexual at gender minorities (SGM) na sumama sa martsa. Ang kalayaan ng mga kababaihan ay isang mahalagang aspeto ng kalayaan ng mga LGBTI at iba pang SGMs. Dadalhin ng TEAM PILIPINAS ang 40-metro nitong rainbow flag. Magkita-kita po tayo doon! Para makontak ang TEAM PILIPINAS, mag-email sa teampilipinas.org@gmail.com


Martsa ng Kababaihan Laban sa Karahasan sa Marso 8, 2010
Militarismo, Seksismo, WTO, Arroyo: Atras!

Women’s March Against Violence on March 8, 2010
Militarism, Sexism, WTO, Arroyo: Retreat!

Pagtitipon: Ika-9 ng umaga, Kanto ng España at Blumentritt
Tutungo sa: Mendiola

Sa ika-100 anibersaryo ng deklarasyon ng Pandaigdigang Araw ng Kababaihan, ipagtitibay ang malawak na pagsasama-sama ng kilusang kababaihan laban sa globalisasyon, militarismo at karahasan sa kababaihan at ang tagapagtanggol nito sa Pilipinas – ang pamahalaang Arroyo.

PAALALA: Iminumungkahi ang pagsusuot ng may kulay rosas hanggang lila. Contact Persons: Susan Defensor (sansudefensor@gmail.com), Clydie Pasia (clydie_pasia@yahoo.com.ph) , Indah Abayan (aluzindah@gmail.com) @ Tel. No. (632) 434-2149 or email catw-ap@catw-ap.org. * Inaanyayahan din ang mga suportang grupo ng kalalakihan na maglagay ng mga istasyon ng inuming tubig sa anumang punto sa daan patungong Mendiola. Salamat.

Amnesty International • APL-Women • Bagong Kamalayan • Batis-AWARE • Buklod – Olongapo • Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino – Kababaihan • CATW-AP • Center for Migrants’ Advocacy • Center for Overseas Workers • Focus on the Global South • Free Burma Coalition • Freedom from Debt Coalition • Hilom-Kabataan • Initiatives for International Dialogue • Kanlungan • KAISA-KA • LRC-KSK/FOE-Phils. • MAKALAYA • Partido Lakas ng Masa • Partido ng Manggagawa • PKKK • Piglas Kababaihan • PREDA • SARILAYA • Transform Asia • TWMAE • UP Sigma Alpha Nu – Manila, Diliman & Los Banos • WomanHealth • Women’s Legal Bureau • Women in Development Foundation • Welga ng Kababaihan • Women’s Crisis Center • Youth and Students for the Advancement of Gender Equality (YSAGE) • World March of Women – Pilipinas

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‘I AM NOT IMMORAL!’

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

In the November 11, 2009 2nd Division and the December 16, 2009 en banc decisions of the Philippine Commission on Elections, Ang Ladlad LGBT Party was denied participation in the upcoming May 2010 National Elections on the grounds that “petitioner tolerates immorality which offends religious beliefs” and that “homosexuals are a threat to the youth”.

The party has now filed a case at the Supreme Court questioning the ruling and the Court has issued a temporary restraining order telling Comelec to include, for now, Ang Ladlad in the official list of partylist candidates but overall the Court has yet to release its final ruling on the case. In the meantime, while the Philippines does not have laws criminalizing same-sex desire and conduct, because of religious intolerance and the recent rise of religious fundamentalism, there has been a great need to raise people’s consciousness about the stigma, discrimination and violence against (Filipino) lesbians, gays, bakla, bayot, bantut, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex (LGBTI) and other sexual and gender minorities (SGM) and to mobilize the LGBT community into action against discriminatory views of society and the world.

Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) is a registered non-profit organization working on social change for and by young Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs from the grassroots. The organization believes that Philippine society’s view on LGBTIs and SGMs as either being mentally disordered, freaks of nature, sinners or immoral people is clearly wrong, blatantly oppressive and totally unjust and that there is a need to raise people’s awareness on these issues and to mobilize public action against such discriminatory views.

I AM NOT IMMORAL Pictures (link courtesy of Niccolo Cosme of The Lighthouse Studio)

I AM NOT IMMORAL Video 1

I AM NOT IMMORAL Video 2

The ‘I AM NOT IMMORAL!’ Photo and Video Project, through the collaboration and creative inspiration brought by indie filmmaker-producer Jethro Patalinghug, celebrated fashion photographer Niccolo Cosme and social entrepreneur Francis Baraan, is part of TEAM PILIPINAS’ multi-level strategy in championing the equal human rights of Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs. Aside from attending hearings for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill–a bill that has been pending in Congress since 1999, TEAM PILIPINAS is campaigning (mostly online for now until our resources allow) to convince the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations to sign statements that Affirm the universality of Human Rights and Protect the equal human rights of Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs

http://www.causes.com/affirmuniversalityofHumanRights

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/affirm-the-universality-of-human-rights-protect-the-equal-human-rights-of-filipinos-regardless-of

We are sharing these videos with you in the hope that you will be able to partly understand the struggle of Filipino LGBTIs and other sexual and gender minorities and help us campaign for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill and for the affirmation of the universality of human rights at the United Nations. For questions regarding the I AM NOT IMMORAL! Photo and Video Project and the work of TEAM PILIPINAS, you may contact us at teampilipinas.org@gmail.com.com .

I LOVE P.R.I.D.E. / I LOVE Pinoys who Respect Rights, Identity, Diversity & Equality

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TEAM PILIPINAS Philippine Rainbow Flag flies at the 2009 Manila Pride March

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

TEAM PILIPINAS Philippine Rainbow Flag flies at the 2009 Manila Pride March

 

TEAM PILIPINAS at 2009 Manila Pride March

Photo taken by Charles Meacham of 'Walk with Pride' http://wwpproject.wordpress.com/

 

 

Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) carried the longest Philippine rainbow flag at the 2009 Manila Pride March held at Malate District, Manila last Saturday, 5 December 2009 from 5pm to 7:30pm. The longest Philippine rainbow flag ever carried in the history of the Manila Pride March is patterned after the logo and colors of TEAM PILIPINAS in celebration of sexual and gender diversity and equality and of the Filipino spirit. At 30 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width, the flag used the usual colors of the rainbow to symbolize LGBT pride—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, and added pink and brown to complete the 8 colors that will symbolize the 8 rays of the sun found in the Philippine National flag. The color pink is used as another symbol of the lesbian, gay, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexual, tomboy, transgender, transsexual, intersex (LGBTI) community while the color brown pays homage to the Filipino race, the lahing kayumanggi. The Philippine rainbow flag of TEAM PILIPINAS is a symbol affirming and celebrating pride in being LGBTI and pride in being a Filipino.

 

TEAM PILIPINAS Philippine Rainbow Flag flying along Roxas Boulevard, Manila

TEAM PILIPINAS Philippine Rainbow Flag flying along Roxas Boulevard, Manila

 

 

The following list gives thanks to the women and men, LGBTIs, heterosexuals, and other sexual and gender minorities who carried the TEAM PILIPINAS Philippine Rainbow Flag at the 2009 Manila Pride March

Joy Aceron
Mary Grace Aceron
Bruce Amoroto
Dr. Sylvia ‘Guy’ Claudio
Ed Cruz
Edgar John Ilaga
Lizette Ilaga
Francis Isaac
Lester Miravalles
Christine Miroy
Christer Miroy
Jac Vidgen
Jane Rodriguez
Mari Santiago
Maya Tamayo
Macel Tirol

and students of Community Development at the College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman headed by Prof. Neng Magno

TEAM PILIPINAS

Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) is a registered non-profit organization contributing to social change that is participated and led 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. For inquiries, email teampilipinas.org@gmail.com .

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I AM NOT IMMORAL! / HINDI AKO IMORAL!

Friday, December 4th, 2009

I AM NOT IMMORAL Photo and Video Project
by TEAM PILIPINAS

I AM NOT IMMORAL!

I AM NOT IMMORAL!

Rainbow greetings!

A brainchild of indie filmmaker-producer Jethro Patalinghug and celebrated fashion photographer Niccolo Cosme, the ‘I AM NOT IMMORAL!’ Photo and Video Project is partly a response to the Commission on Elections 2nd Division’s decision to dismiss the petition of Ang Ladlad LGBT Party to take part in the 2010 National Elections on the alleged grounds that “petitioner tolerates immorality which offends religious beliefs” and that “homosexuals are a threat to the youth.”

As a registered non-profit organization working on social change for and by young Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bayot, bantut, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex (LGBTI) and other sexual and gender minorities (SGM) from the grassroots, Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) believes that society’s view on LGBTIs and SGMs as either being mentally disordered, sinners or immoral people is wrong, oppressive and unjust and that there is a need to raise people’s awareness on these issues and to mobilize public action against such discriminatory views. This Photo and Video Project is our attempt at fulfilling those needs.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bruce Amoroto at +63916-2826781, Francis Baraan at +63918-9455008, Jethro Patalinghug at +63906-2979922 or Tonee Coraza at +63918-9337596. Thank you very much.

xx

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TEAM PILIPINAS at the 5 December 2009 Manila Pride March

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

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.

I LOVE P.R.I.D.E. / I LOVE Pinoys who Respect Rights, Identity, Diversity & Equality

I LOVE P.R.I.D.E. / I LOVE Pinoys who Respect Rights, Identity, Diversity & Equality

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!

I AM NOT IMMORAL!

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.

HINDI AKO IMORAL

HINDI AKO IMORAL

xx

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Bumoto at Pahalagahan ang Ating Dangal / Vote for Pride

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Bumoto at Pahalagahan ang Ating Dangal / Vote for Pride
ni/by Bruce Portugal Amoroto

Nitong Miyerkoles, Nobyembre 11, 2009, ibinaba ng Commission on Elections ang desisyon nito kaugnay ng petisyon ng Ang Ladlad LGBT Party na lumahok sa 2010 National Elections. Sa walong pahinang hatol ng Comelec, sinabi na “this petition is dismissible on moral grounds” (ang petition ay hindi nararapat na pahintulutan dahil sa ilang usaping pang-moral).

Ipinaliwanag pa ng hatol ng Comelec na “petitioner tolerates immorality which offends religious beliefs” (pinaparayaan/pinapayagan ng petitioner ang imoralidad na nakasisira sa mga relihiyong paniniwala) kasabay ang pagbanggit ng ilang talata mula sa Bibliya at sa Koran. Binanggit din sa nasabing hatol na “we cannot compromise the well-being of the greater number of our people, especially the youth” (hindi natin maaring ilagay sa alanganin ang kapakanan ng maraming tao, lalu na ng mga kabataan).

Sa ganitong punto marami sa atin, lalu na mula sa komunidad ng mga lesbian, gay, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexual, tomboy, transgender, transsexual, intersex (LGBTI) at iba pang sexual and gender minorities (SGM), ang galit na galit dahil sa naging desisyon at sa laman ng hatol ng Comelec. Marami sa atin ang nag-iisip na i-boycott ang darating na halalan.

Gayunpaman, bagama’t hindi naging makatao at makatarungan ang naging hatol na ito ng Comelec, sa aking palagay, dapat pa rin tayong bumotong lahat sa Mayo upang patunayan sa Comelec at sa sambayanang Pilipino na kahit na tayo ay LGBTI o SGM, meron tayong malasakit at may magagawa para mabago ang sistema ng pamamahala sa Pilipinas.

Ang Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) ay naniniwala na dapat nating ipagtanggol ang ating mga karapatan at kalayaan at pahalagahan ang ating mga sariling dangal. Ang kampanya ng TEAM PILIPINAS na “VOTE FOR P.R.I.D.E. (Pinoys who Respect Rights, Identity, Diversity & Equality) ay naglalayong ibalik ang pagpapahalaga sa sariling dangal nating mga Pilipino at nating mga LGBTI at SGM.

Itinuro ng mga mananakop at ng mga banyaga sa ating mga Pilipino na huwag magpahalaga sa ating mga sarili, sa ang ating kultura at sa ating pagkakakilanlan. Itinuro naman sa atin ng relihiyon na huwag pag-usapan o pahalagahan ang ating kasarian at sekswalidad at ituring na imoral ang anuman sekswalidad na labas sa sakramento ng kasal sa pagitan ng isang lalake at isang babae. Itinuro sa atin na may malaking pakialam ang Simbahan lalu na sa mga usaping kaugnay ng kasarian at sekswalidad.

Pero ngayon, hinihingi ng panahon na lumaya tayo mula sa kaapihan ng mga baluktot na kaisipan hinggil sa kung ano ang moral at di-moral, kung ano ang sekswal at ang mga may kaugnayan sa kasarian. Hinihingi rin ng panahon na ibalik nating mga Pilipino at nating mga LGBTI ang pagpapahalaga natin sa ating mga sariling dangal. Ang “pride” ay hindi pagmamayabang, ito ay simpleng pagpapahalaga sa sariling dangal.

Ang dangal na ito ay likas sa lahat ng tao at ang pagtatanggol dito ay tinitiyak ng Saligang Batas na naghalaw mula sa Pandaigdig na Pahayag ukol sa Karapatan ng Tao (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) na nagsasabing “All human beings born free and equal in dignity and rights” (Ang lahat ng tao’y isinilang na malaya at pantay-pantay sa karangalan at mga karapatan) at “All human rights are universal, interdependent, indivisible and interrelated” (Lahat ng mga karapatan ng tao ay unibersal, nagpapatibay sa isa’t isa, hindi mahahati at magkakaugnay).

Hindi makatarungan na gamitin ng Comelec ang Bibliya at ang Koran bilang batayan para kanilang hatol sapagkat higit sa lahat nakasaad sa ating Saligang Batas, sa Article II Section 6, ang pagkakahiwalay ng Simbahan at ng Estado. “The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.”

Sa darating na Mayo, IBOTO AT PAHALAGAHAN NATIN ANG ATING MGA SARILING DANGAL! VOTE FOR PRIDE! Ipakita natin sa Comelec at sa sambayanan na naniniwala at ipinagtatanggol natin ang pagkakapantay-pantay ng lahat sa dangal, karapatan at kalayaan.

Ayoko sa TRAPO! Ayoko sa Elitistang Pulitika! Gusto ko ng Pagbabago! Yes to PRIDE in 2010!

Ayoko sa TRAPO! Ayoko sa Elitistang Pulitika! Gusto ko ng Pagbabago! Yes to PRIDE in 2010!

This Wednesday, November 11, 2009, the Commission on Elections handed down its decision regarding the petition of Ang Ladlad LGBT Party to take part in the 2010 National Elections. In its 8-page decision, the Comelec stated that “this petition is dismissible on moral grounds”.

In the decision, the Comelec also elaborated that “petitioner tolerates immorality which offends religious beliefs” citing verses from the Bible and the Koran. The ruling also stated that “we cannot compromise the well-being of the greater number of our people, especially the youth”.

At this point, many of us, especially from the lesbian, gay, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexual, tomboy, transgender, transsexual, intersex (LGBTI) community, are furious at the process and content of the Comelec’s ruling. Many of us are now thinking of boycotting the upcoming elections.

However, even though the Comelec ruling was inhumane and unjust, I believe we should still consider taking part in the May 2010 Elections and to prove to the Comelec and the Filipino nation that despite being LGBTIs and SGMs, we are concerned and capable of changing the system of governance in the Philippines.

Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) believes that we should all protect our rights and freedoms and uphold our pride–to value our dignity. The TEAM PILIPINA campaign “VOTE FOR P.R.I.D.E. (Vote for Pinoys who Respect Rights, Identity, Diversity & Equality) aims to bring back the Filipinos’ and the Filipino LGBTIs’ sense of pride and valuation for one’s dignity.

We Filipinos were taught by the colonizers and foreigners not to value ourselves, our culture, our identity. Religion on the other hand taught us not to talk about or value our gender and sexuality and to regard as immoral any sexuality outside of the sacrament of marriage between a man and woman. We were also taught that the Church has a major role on the issues of sexuality and gender.

But time is now asking us to break free from the oppression of twisted mindsets related to what is moral, what is sexual and what is related to gender and sexuality. Time is also asking us to renew our pride as Filipinos and as LGBTIs and SGMs. Pride is not being arrogant nor boastful, it is simply valuation of one’s own dignity.

This dignity is inherent in all human beings and its protection is guaranteed by the Constitution that drew from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says, “All human beings born free and equal in dignity and rights” and “All human rights are universal, interdependent, indivisible and interrelated”.

The Comelec’s use of the Bible and the Koran as bases for their ruling is unjust because first and foremost, our Constitution in Article II Section 6 states, “The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.”

This coming May, VOTE FOR PRIDE! Let us show Comelec and the nation that we believe and we will protect everyone’s equality in dignity, rights and freedoms.

VOTE for PRIDE. Vote for Pinoys who Respect Rights, Identity, Diversity & Equality.

Equality! / Pagkakapantay-pantay!

xx

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An Open Letter to Legislators and to those Running for the 2010 National Elections

Friday, October 30th, 2009

29 October 2009

Dear Honorable Sir/Madam,

Liberatory and rainbow greetings to you!

I am Bruce Portugal Amoroto, a Filipino gay activist and current President-Coordinator of Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS), Vice-President of Gay and Lesbian Asia Pacific Sport Association (GLISA Asia Pacific), and Asia Pacific Director at Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA International). I am also a graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman and since 2000 I have been involved in the justice and human rights sector particularly on the equal human rights of lesbians, gays, and others.

I am writing to you because I and many other Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex (LGBTI) and other ‘sexual and gender minorities’ (SGMs) in the country are interested in knowing your answer to our question. In your participation in the 2010 National Elections we would like to know sir/madam, what is your platform and programme of action regarding the equal human rights of Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex (LGBTI) and other ‘sexual and gender minorities’ (SGMs) in the country?

According to the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity that was drafted, discussed, developed and refined by a body of international experts on human rights:
1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
2. All human rights are universal, interdependent, indivisible and interrelated.
3. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral to every person’s dignity and humanity and must not be the basis for discrimination or abuse.

Sexual orientation is understood to refer to each person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to, and intimate and sexual relations with individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender.

Gender identity, on the other hand, is understood to refer to each person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth, including the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance or function by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including dress, speech and mannerisms.

Since 1999, with the help of Akbayan Partylist, Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network – Philippines (LAGABLAB-Pilipinas) has pushed for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB), House Bill 956, in Congress. The ADB is a bill that aims to penalize acts and policies that discriminate on the basis of a person’s perceived or actual sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The ADB does not ask for special rights for Filipino LGBTIs instead it asks for the protection of the equality in dignity, rights and freedoms for the said sector and the provision of the same rights and freedoms accorded by the State to heterosexual and non-transgender/non-transsexual women and men.

In 2004 the Bill was approved at the Lower House but it failed to get a Senate counterpart and has since been pending in Congress due mainly to the strong opposition of the Catholic Church and other conservative and religious groups affiliated with legislators.

In the Philippines, oppression and violence against LGBTIs and other SGMs exists and it is, I believe, much worse compared to countries that criminalize homosexuality because the violence is silent with the discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity hidden and deeply embedded in society’s structure and system. There is only seeming tolerance for us Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs in fact in our families, homes, communities, churches, work and in society in general, we are still looked at as either immoral, sinful or mentally ill. Many LGBTIs who come out and are out continue to experience vilification, ridicule and bad jokes; others have experienced various levels of discrimination, abuse and violence. In a few Catholic schools there are still policies on masculinity and on same-sex relationships such that students who fail to abide by these rules get kicked out of the institution. There are also private companies, government offices, and establishments that have policies related to the hiring, promotion and firing of employees, the provision of certain benefits, service or product, or dress codes that are oppressive to Filipino LGBTIs. Most of all, we Filipino LGBTIs experience violence from our families and in our homes–there are those who get thrown out and get disowned by their parents for embracing their sexuality and their true selves and there are those who are beaten and physically abused or raped with the consent of their parents who believe that their sons and daughters will be cured and converted into becoming “real men” and “real women”.

In our Constitution there is a provision regarding the Separation of Church and State (Article II Section 6) and yet the Church still finds a way to meddle in public policy. There is also a provision regarding the respect and protection of the equality in dignity, rights and freedoms of each Filipino no matter what status or characteristic they have (Article II Section 11) and yet clearly, Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs are not treated equally in society. The Constitution is simply not enough to protect the equality of all Filipinos and in the end, only a law can make real and tangible the provisions on the equality in dignity, rights and freedoms of people.

Again, dear sir/madam, in view of the 2010 National Elections, may we know what your platform and programme of action is regarding the equal human rights of Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex (LGBTI) and other ‘sexual and gender minorities’ (SGMs) in the country?

Thank you very much and we hope to hear your full and sincerest answer to our question.

Respectfully,

Bruce Portugal Amoroto
bruce.amoroto@gmail.com

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Sarbey ukol sa Kaapihan at Karahasan laban sa mga Pilipinong Lesbyana, Gay, Bakla, Bantut, Bayot, Bisexual, Tomboy, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex (LGBTI) at iba pang ‘Sexual and Gender Minorities’ (SGM)

Monday, September 28th, 2009
 
Sarbey ukol sa Kaapihan at Karahasan laban sa mga Pilipinong Lesbyana, Gay, Bakla, Bantut, Bayot, Bisexual, Tomboy, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex (LGBTI) at iba pang ‘Sexual and Gender Minorities’ (SGM)
Survey on the Oppression and Violence against Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs
   
    

 

ITIGIL ANG KAAPIHAN AT KARAHASAN laban sa mga Pilipinong lesbyana, gay, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexual, tomboy, transgender, transsexual, intersex (LGBTI) at iba pang ‘sexual and gender minorities’ (SGMs)!
 
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGdpTkE4QnF5c1djMDZQalYtVWdBNEE6MA..

 

Bilang suporta sa kampanya ng MCC-QC, ProGAY-QC, SGO-Phils, OUTPhils, GABAY, IFTAS at iba pang mga grupo at pormasyong pang-LGBT na i-monitor at i-dokumento ang mga kaso ng karahasan at krimen ng pagkamuhi sa mga Pilipinong LGBTI at SGM, inaanyayahan kayo ng Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) na sagutan ang survey na ito upang bigyang laman ang Yogyakarta Principles at ipakita na ang kaapihan at karahasang nararanasan ng mga Pilipinong LGBTI at SGM ay hindi lamang sa lebel ng sibil at pampulitikong mga karapatan at kalayaan (civil and political rights and freedoms) ngunit higit lalu sa lebel din ng pang-ekonomiko, panlipunan at pangkultural na mga karapatan at kalayaan (economic, social and cultural rights and freedom). Higit pa sa pagiging biktima ng pagkamuhi (hate), paglalagay-batik sa karangalan (stigma) at paninino (discrimination), ang mga Pilipinong lesbyana, gay, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexual, tomboy, transgender, transsexual, intersex (LGBTI) at iba pang ‘sexual and gender minorities’ (SGMs) ay mga biktima rin ng mga istruktural at sistemikong kaapihan at karahasan sa bansa tulad ng elitismo at paghahari ng iilang pamilya, kahirapan, heteroseksismo (heterosexism), patriyarka, panrelihiyong pundamentalismo at di-pagpaparaya (religious fundamentalism and intolerance), rehiyonalismo (regionalism), diskriminasyon batay sa lahi at paninino sa mga taong may kakaibang kultura (racism and xenophobia), giyera, at iba pa.  

 

 

The Yogyakarta Principles

The Yogyakarta Principles

 

May kahabaan at kalawakan ang sakop na mga paksa ng survey na ito ngunit layunin nito na palakasin ang panawagan sa Permanent Mission ng Republika ng Pilipinas sa United Nations na lumagda sa mga pahayag na 1. naninindigan sa pandaigdigang bisa ng Mga Karapatan ng Tao (Affirm the universality of Human Rights) at 2. nanananggalang sa pantay na karapatang pantao ng mga Pilipinong LGBTI at iba pang SGM (Protect the equal human rights of Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs).

　

Facebook link ng Panawagan sa Permanent Mission ng Pilipinas sa UN:

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/335717

　

Petitionsite link ng Panawagan sa Permanent Mission ng Pilipinas sa UN:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/affirm-the-universality-of-human-rights-protect-the-equal-human-rights-of-filipinos-regardless-of

　

Maaaring sagutan ang survey na ito ng hindi nakikilala (anonymous). Lahat ng sagot ay pananatilihing lihim o confidential at walang partikular na detalye ang ilalathala ng walang pahintulot o pagpayag ng respondent o sumagot ng survey.

　

Malugod namin kayong pasasalamatan kung maibabahagi ninyo sa iba ang impormasyon tungkol sa survey na ito at himukin ang iba pang LGBTI at SGM, lantad man o hindi, na sagutan ang mga tanong dito.

　

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGdpTkE4QnF5c1djMDZQalYtVWdBNEE6MA..

　

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS), sa mga kampanya nito, at sa survey na ito, maaari niyo kaming makontak sa email sa teampilipinas.org@gmail.com, o kaya’y online sa http://diversityandequality.ph ; http://teampilipinasorg.multiply.com ; o sa Facebook: http://groups.to/teampilipinas

　

MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG PAKIKILAHOK!

　

Magkakaroon kami ng mga interview sa ilang tao kaugnay ng survey na ito. Kung interesado kang sumali sa interview, pakilagay lamang ang iyong cell phone number o numero ng land line sa dulo ng survey na ito.

　

Bruce Portugal Amoroto

President-Coordinator, TEAM PILIPINAS

　

==========

STOP THE OPPRESSION AND VIOLENCE against Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bayot, bantut, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals and intersex (LGBTIs) and other sexual and gender minorities (SGMs)!
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGdpTkE4QnF5c1djMDZQalYtVWdBNEE6MA..

In support to the campaign of MCC-QC, ProGAY-QC, SGO-Phils, OUTPhils, GABAY, IFTAS and other concerned LGBT groups and formations in monitoring and documenting cases of crime and violence against Filipino LGBTIs, Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) invites you all to fill-out this survey to give meat to the Yogyakarta Principles and to show that the oppression and violence experienced by Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs are not only on the level of civil and political rights and freedoms but most importantly on the level of economic, social, and cultural rights and freedoms. More than being victims of hate, stigma at discrimination, Filipino LGBTIs and other SGMs are also victims of structural and systemic oppression and violence such as elitism and elite rule, poverty, heterosexism, patriarchy, religious fundamentalism and intolerance, regionalism, racism and xenophobia, war etc.

　

The survey is quite lengthy and covers a wide range of topics but it aims to strengthen the call to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations to sign statements that 1. Affirm the universality of Human Rights and 2. Protect the equal human rights of Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bantut, bayot, bisexual, tomboy, transgender, transsexual and intersex (LGBTIs) and other sexual and gender minorities (SGMs).

　

Mabuhay ang lahing kayumanggi! Mabuhay ang dangal, karapatan at kalayaan ng LAHAT ng Pilipino

Mabuhay ang lahing kayumanggi! Mabuhay ang dangal, karapatan at kalayaan ng LAHAT ng Pilipino

 

Facebook link to the Call to the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/335717
　
Petitionsite link to the Call to the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/affirm-the-universality-of-human-rights-protect-the-equal-human-rights-of-filipinos-regardless-of
　
You can fill out the questionnaire anonymously. All your answers will remain strictly CONFIDENTIAL, and no specific details will be published without the consent of the respondent.
　

We would appreciate if you could spread information about this survey and urge other LGBTIs and SGMs, out or not, to complete the questionnaire.

　

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGdpTkE4QnF5c1djMDZQalYtVWdBNEE6MA..

　

Should you need more information about Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS), its campaigns, and this survey, you can contact us via email at teampilipinas.org@gmail.com or online at: http://diversityandequality.ph ; http://teampilipinasorg.multiply.com ; or at Facebook: http://groups.to/teampilipinas

　

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!

　

We shall conduct interviews on a number of people for the survey. If you are interested in participating in an interview, enter your mobile phone number or land line number at the end of the survey.

　

Bruce Portugal Amoroto

President-Coordinator, TEAM PILIPINAS

 

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“Pride”: Definition and Redefinition, Usage and Reclamation, from Oppression to Empowerment and Liberation

Saturday, September 12th, 2009
Mabuhay ang lahing kayumanggi! Mabuhay ang dangal, karapatan at kalayaan ng LAHAT ng Pilipino

Mabuhay ang lahing kayumanggi! Mabuhay ang dangal, karapatan at kalayaan ng LAHAT ng Pilipino

“Pride”: Definition and Redefinition, Usage and Reclamation, from Oppression to Empowerment and Liberation

Ang “pride”: Kahulugan at Pagbabagong-kahulugan, Gamit at Pag-aangkin, mula sa Kaapihan patungo sa Kapangyarihan at Kalayaan

by/ni Bruce Portugal Amoroto

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic-Christian country and religion has strongly influenced not only our daily lives but also public policy, this despite the Constitutional provision on the separation of Church and State. And so “pride”, because of the influence of religion, has often been seen or defined in a negative way both in colloquial as well as in proper application.

80% sa Pilipinas ay Katoliko-Kristiyano at malakas ng impluwensya ng relihiyon, di lang sa ating pang-araw araw na buhay kundi pati na rin sa pampublikong polisiya, ito kahit na meron tayong probisyon sa ating Konstitusyon ukol sa pagkakahiwalay ng Estado at ng Simbahan. At dahil dito, ang salitang “pride”, dahil na rin sa impluwensya ng relihiyon, ay kadalasang nakikita o ginagamit sa isang negatibong paraan sa pangkaraniwan pati na sa pormal na gamit ng salitang ito.

However, it’s interesting to see that in the 2004 edition of ‘Handbook of English-Filipino Filipino-English Dictionary’ (Comprehensive Edition with Sample Sentence) by Zenaida P. Villanueva and published by MW Publishing Inc in Quezon City, Philippines, the entry on pride goes,
pride, (n.) pagpapahalaga sa sariling dangal;
You should learn to have some pride. Dapat matuto kang magkaroon ng pagpapahalaga sa sariling dangal.

Subalit nakawiwiling makita na sa 2004 edisyon ng ‘Handbook of English-Filipino Filipino-English Dictionary’ (Comprehensive Edition with Sample Sentence) ni Zenaida P. Villanueva at nilimbag ng MW Publishing Inc sa Quezon City, Philippines, ang salitang “pride” ay
pride, (n.) pagpapahalaga sa sariling dangal;
You should learn to have some pride. Dapat matuto kang magkaroon ng pagpapahalaga sa sariling dangal.

The entry on “dangal” on the other hand goes:
dangal, (n.) reputation; Ang dangal ko ang aking tanging yaman. My only wealth is my reputation.

Ang salitang “dangal” naman ay:
dangal, (n.) reputation; Ang dangal ko ang aking tanging yaman. My only wealth is my reputation.

A relevant entry, now on dignity, goes:
dignity, (n.) dangal; Where is the dignity in this line of work? Nasaan ang dangal sa ganitong uri ng trabaho?

Ang kaugnay na salitang “dignity” ay:
dignity, (n.) dangal; Where is the dignity in this line of work? Nasaan ang dangal sa ganitong uri ng trabaho?

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/affirm-the-universality-of-human-rights-protect-the-equal-human-rights-of-filipinos-regardless-of

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/affirm-the-universality-of-human-rights-protect-the-equal-human-rights-of-filipinos-regardless-of

With all these in mind (and much more), a redefinition, reclamation and queering, if you may, of the word “pride” in the Philippines is important and necessary. Since the 16th century, since colonial times, we Filipinos were taught by the Spaniards, the Americans, the Japanese and even by modern-day Filipino institutions, to not be proud of who we are as a people, to not value our self worth and dignity.

Kung isasaalang-alang natin ang lahat ng mga ito (at higit pa), ang pabibigay ng bagong kahulugan, ang (muling) pag-angkin, ang kakaiba/pangingibang gamit sa salitang “pride” sa Pilipinas ay mahalaga at kailangan. Mula pa ika-16 na siglo, mula sa panahon ng mga mananakop, tayong mga Pilipino ay tinuruan ng mga Kastila, ng mga Amerikano, ng mga Hapones, pati na rin ng ating mga makabagong institusyon at istruktura sa lipunang Pilipino na huwag pahalagahan ang sarili bilang tao, na huwag pahalagahan ang sarili at ang sariling dangal.

However now more than ever it is important and necessary that Filipinos reclaim and redefine “pride” from its negative and oppressive usage and connotation to one that is empowering and liberatory. We Filipinos need to break free from the “colonial” and even our own self-oppression. We Filipinos need to celebrate and be proud of who we are as a people, to be celebrate and be proud to be sexual and gendered beings.

Subalit ngayon, higit kailanman, mahalaga at kailangan nating mga Pilipino na bigyang bagong kahulugan ang salitang “pride” at angkinin ito mula sa negatibo at mapang-aping paggamit at pagpapakahulugan patungo sa isang makapangyayari at mapagpalayang paggamit. Kailangan nating mga Pilipino na kumalas sa kolonyal at maging sa ating sariling kaapihan. Kailangan nating mga Pilipino na ipagbunyi at ipagmalaki kung sino tayo bilang mga tao, bilang isang bayan, ipagbunyi at ipagmalaki na tayo ay mga nilalang na may angking sekswalidad at kasarian.

We now (should) say,

I am proud to be a Filipino!
I am proud to be lesbian / gay / bakla / bayot / bantut / bisexual / tomboy / transgender / transsexual / intersex / silahis etc!
I value my humanity!
I value my self worth!
I value my dignity!
I value my rights!
I value my freedom!
I value my fellow Filipino!

Dapat sabihin natin ngayon na:

Proud ako bilang isang Pinoy!
Proud ako bilang isang lesbian / gay / bakla / bayot / bantut / bisexual / tomboy / transgender / transsexual / intersex / silahis etc!
Pinahahalagahan ko ang ang pagkatao!
Pinahahalagahan ko ang aking sarili!
Pinahahalagahan ko ang aking dangal!
Pinahahalagahan ko ang aking mga karapatan!
Pinahahalagahan ko ang aking kalayaan!
Pinahahalagahan ko ang aking kapwa, ang aking kapwa-Pilipino!

Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) currently has a campaign to “Affirm the universality of Human Rights; Protect the equal human rights of Filipino lesbians, gays, bakla, bayot, bantut, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex and other sexual and gender minorities”.

Facebook link to cause

Petitionsite.com link

The campaign aims to convince the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations to sign statements that uphold and protect the equal rights of Filipino LGBTIs and other sexual and gender minorities.

Kasalukuyang may kampanya ang Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS) upang itaguyod ang pandaigdigang paglalapat ng Human Rights o Karapatang Pantao at upang ipagtanggol ang pantay ng karapatang pantao ng mga Pilipinong lesbians, gays, bakla, bayot, bantut, bisexuals, tomboy, transgenders, transsexuals, intersex (LGBTI) at iba pang ‘sexual and gender minorities’.

Facebook link to cause

Petition.com link

Ang kampanya ay naglalayong kumbinsihin ang Permanent Mission ng Republika ng Pilipinas sa United Nations na pumirma sa mga pahayag na nagtataguyod at nagtatanggol sa pantay na karapatang pantao ng mga Pilipinong LGBTI  at iba pang ‘sexual and gender minorities’.

Ayoko sa TRAPO! Ayoko sa Elitistang Pulitika! Gusto ko ng Pagbabago! Yes to PRIDE in 2010!

Ayoko sa TRAPO! Ayoko sa Elitistang Pulitika! Gusto ko ng Pagbabago! Yes to PRIDE in 2010!

–
–
Bruce Portugal Amoroto
President-Coordinator, Philippine Forum on Sports, Culture, Sexuality and Human Rights (TEAM PILIPINAS)
Vice President, Gay and Lesbian Asia Pacific Sport Association (GLISA Asia Pacific)
Member, Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA) International Board of Directors
team-pilipinas@yahoogroups.com

http://diversityandequality.ph

http://teampilipinasorg.multiply.com

+63-916-2826781
GMT+8:00 (Manila, Philippines)

TEAM PILIPINAS is a member of GLISA Asia Pacific
http://www.glisaap.org http://www.asiapacificoutgames.org

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