The Rainbow Blog Philippines

By Alcuin Papa Philippine Daily Inquirer A party-list group, which promises to add color to the usually staid congressional proceedings, is going “yellow” in its choice for president and vice president in the May elections. With expected gay flair, this was how Danton Remoto, chair of Ang Ladlad, described Aquino: “Walang bahid, walang mantsa. Hindi mo na kailangang magkuskos at magkula pa. (He’s without stain. No need to scrub or bleach.) ‘Golde n Gays’ home The group said that, if elected, it would propose laws that would criminalize discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs). Ang Ladlad also vowed to provide livelihood programs and establish a home for elderly and abandoned members of the LGBT community. The home would be called “Golden Gays,” an apparent takeoff from the government-run Golden Acres. “We will see all the colors of the rainbow in Congress,” said Naomi Fontanos, one of the group’s nominees. The others are Bernz Benedito, Germaine Leonin,...

Ricky Reyes, Couples faction back Villar Fascinating discussion of which Presidential candidate is really "progay" and the influence of Ang Ladlad and gay political movements. By Jerome Aning, Michael Lim Ubac Philippine Daily Inquirer Posted date: April 29, 2010 MANILA, Philippines—For their pro-life and pro-family stand, presidential candidates Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party and John Carlos “JC” de los Reyes of Ang Kapatiran Party have received the indirect endorsement of a faction of Couples for Christ (CFC), a Catholic charismatic and renewal group. Villar also got the endorsement of a group of hairdressers, but not the Ang Ladlad, a party-list group of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender, which is supporting his main rival, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. Asked by reporters about Ang Ladlad supporting Aquino, well-known hair stylist Ricky Reyes, said: “Kaya ngayon, nilaladlad ko na si Manny Villar (So now I’m disclosing my support for Manny Vil...

This May 2010, the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) celebrates 8 years of struggle, standing up and successes as the first and, as yet only human rights advocacy and support organization for transpinays (transgender/transsexual Filipinas). In line with our 8th year anniversary celebrations, it is our pleasure to present the following events: GLBT FLOREZ DE MAYO 2 May 2010 (Sun), 7 pm Bgy.Bagong Pag-asa Covered Court, Quezon City The Flores de Mayo is a Filipino cultural tradition that celebrates the blooming flowers of May. The festival culminates with a procession that depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. On 2 May 2010, selected STRAP ladies will serve as sagalas and parade in Bgy. Pag-asa in Quezon City in the first Gay Lesbian Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) FlorEZ de Mayo. This event is brought to you by EZ Lubricating Jelly in cooperation with the Metropolitan Community Church Quezon City (MCCQC), Progres...

LOVE is definitely stickier and sweeter the second time around! After experiencing another major heart break, Adam is now more determined to focus on his career and nothing else. He now has his own advice column in a major magazine. Things are looking up for him when he meets ambitious, vibrant, and sexy Brandon. Things started heating up between them until people from his past came knocking back on his doorsteps. Join Adam and the wacky set of people in his life in the second book of When Boy meets Boy. COMING MAY 10 2010

New batch of Filipino representatives for Global Xchange Programme bared Volunteers chosen by Volunteer Service Overseas to do volunteer work in UK and RP Quezon City, Philippines, 27 April, 2010 — International development organization Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) announces the roster of young Filipinos who were picked to join this year’s Global Xchange Programme. The group will represent the country in the United Kingdom-Philippines exchange in their campaign towards social growth and development. The new batch, dubbed as Team 107, includes: Mark Aethen Agana, South Cotabato; Dionell Chris Batoon, Rizal; Margarita Victoria Caballa, Metro Manila; Joseph Eduard Laraño III, Iloilo; Desiree May Llanos Dee, Metro Manila; April Karnette Maniacup, Pampanga; Karl Benson Molina, Rizal; Christina Lucia Marian Palami, Leyte; and Anthony Ross Zuniga, Rizal. “I have always been passionate about volunteerism and development work and I am both thrilled and privileged to be a part of a program t...

We often hear how the flap of a butterfly's wings can influence weather patterns around the world. Striking an allusion between this natural tendency and a metaphor, the butterfly effect is tantamount to the analysis that small changes, if properly situated, can bring about wide-ranging effects. In a world stricken by poverty and divided by chaos, individual butterflies needs to step up to create an impact. Each butterfly, assigned to a specific task, should work in synergy with other butterflies to elicit an effect. An analogy of this process could be paired to individual youths aspiring to make a difference in their respective communities. Each youth, tasked for a specific purpose, should integrate oneself to a larger group working for a common goal. This May, 18 young individuals from the United Kingdom and the Philippines will endeavor in this process of social transformation. Under the Global Xchange Programme, the group of young individuals will be forming Team 107 of the G...

My name is Adam. My name is the 69th most popular boys name in the United States. I find that nonsense info somewhat funny. If you get what I meant then probably there’s something we have in common. I won't lie and go straight to the point by saying that I'm gay. And by gay I don't mean I'm a happy person. Sure, I'm not gloomy or anything close to that. I'm just, well, gay . There’s nothing really special about me. I’m just some average looking 20 something gay guy who tries to live decently in the urban jungles of Manila. I wish I could share something out of this world or something extra special about me like how I was the “special” one who discovered the cure for AIDS or I’m the first gay astronaut that ever landed planet Pluto. But the truth is, I’m just one of those people who you would pass by some random street and never bother to do a double look. When I was little, my mom used to tell me that I have the weirdest fixation to words. In fact, she said tha...

abs-cbnNEWS.com MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Thursday approved the petition of Ang Ladlad group to represent lesbians, gays, homosexuals, and bisexuals (LGBT) as a party-list group in the May 10 elections. In a decision penned by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Commission on Elections disqualifying Ang Ladlad's application as a party-list group. The court said the Comelec erred in its decision to deny Ang Ladlad's accreditation as a party-list group based on moral grounds.It said the poll body failed to explain "what societal ills are sought to be prevented, or why special protection is required for the youth" to justify the denial of accreditation of Ang Ladlad. "We hold that moral disapproval, without more, is not a sufficient governmental interest to justify exclusion of homosexuals from participation in the party-list system.The denial of Ang Ladlad’s registration on purely moral grounds a...