The Rainbow Blog Philippines

Faces of HIV It was the year 1984 when Filipinos were first confronted with HIV-AIDS as a public health issue. Dolzura Cortez was the first to come out publicly to say that she had AIDS. In 1991, the young Sarah Jane Salazar followed suit and travelled the country to tell her story. Their life stories were even made into movies portrayed by show biz stars. But when they died, HIV and AIDS temporarily lost a public face, until 2009 when Wanggo Gallaga, the son of movie director Peque Gallaga, came out and admitted he had HIV. Cortez, Salazar, Gallaga and now Gorriceta have hoped that with their daring, Filipinos will have a better understanding of the disease and that its rapid spread can be stopped. HIV rising among males age 20-29 The latest data from the Department of Health, however, shows the contrary. To date, there are five to six new HIV cases reported daily to the DOH AIDS Registry. This is a significant increase from an average of one case a day i...

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  It has been ten years since the first RH Bill, and after countless debates and delays we are no closer to a vote. The democratic process has stalled at the hands of time-wasting legislators and bullying bishops. With mounting frustration we remind our public servants that for every day they delay the vote, Filipino families around the country lose their mothers. The time for delay is over. The time for a vote is now. Starting tomorrow, November 21, RH Advocates from various organizations will occupy the park across the South Wing Gate of Congress, and launch a massive and sustained campaign to remind our Senators and Members of Congress of the urgency to vote on the Reproductive Health Bill before the year ends. Pro-RH lawmakers, celebrities, artists, government officials, civil society and non-government groups, business, academe, youth, religious and non-religious sectors will show their support at this mass action, and advocates will camp out in front of the S...

Task Force Pride, a non-profit network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) groups will organize the 17th Annual Pride March in Manila. The aim of the march is to gather different LGBT groups, allies and individuals in solidarity, as well as provide positive visibility to the community. This year's theme, “Pride of the Orient”, recalls the community's achievements with regard to advancing LGBT human rights, such as... organizing the first pride march in Asia in 1994 and the formation of Ladlad party list, the only LGBT-oriented party list in the world, and extensive HIV/AIDS Awareness campaigns nationwide . “Pride of the Orient” calls on LGBT Filipinos to reclaim these milestones and look forward to more victories they've yet to achieve. For Organizations, please confirm in this link: http://taskforcepride.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-confirmation-form-organizations.html%20 For Individuals, please confirm in this link: http://taskforcepride.blogspot.com...

20 October 2011 – Naomi Fontanos, chairwoman of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) the pioneer human rights advocacy organization of transgender/transsexual Filipinas or transpinays, spoke on a panel called Trans* Rights Are Human Rights organized by the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Berlin, Germany on 5 October 2011, Wednesday (see video below).  The panel focused on the initial research findings of the TransRespect Vs TransPhobia (TvT) Project of Transgender Europe (TGEU) , which investigates the legal and social situation of transgender people globally. Talking about transpeople in East and Southeast Asia, Fontanos said "From East Asia to Southeast Asia, transpeople face a similar situation: silenced, excluded and erased. Most transpeople have no say over their identities; their lived realities are belittled and dismissed and state and cultural forces act to render them powerless, with no control over their own lives.” “Like others elsewhere in...

LIVING POSITIVELY + LIVING WELL A movement to use love and happiness against HIV. Begin your own advocacy to live with a positive outlook, and share that positivism to the world. Add your voice to the growing number of advocates rallying for positivism and against HIV. To be a part of the Living Positively + Living Well Open Photoshoot : Share your stories, thoughts, or philosophies on how you live positively; Join our two-part open photoshoot; and Be featured in our photo exhibition. When: October 22 and 29 (10AM-6PM) Where: Pioneer Studios, 123 Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City For the location map and directions to the venue, visit www.pioneerstudios.ph . The parking space in front of Pioneer Studios is limited and a tow-away zone .  Pay parking is available at Pioneer Citiland Parking near the studio at the corner of Pioneer Street and Reliance Street (see location map).  Rates are PhP30.00 for first 3 hours and PhP10.00 succeeding hours. Registration...

Nakakalungkot isipin na may isang taong naisipang isumite ang bill na ito upang gawing batas! Ganito ang nangyayari sa Uganda. Isang bansang tinaguriang 'perlas ng afrika'. Bansang ang pagiging bakla ay kinamumuhian at may parusang kamatayan. Nagsimula ang ganitong ideolohiya sa Uganda dahil sa mga christian evangelist na dala'y bibliya at pananampalataya upang sakupin ang kaisipan ng mga tao. Walang masama sa adhikaing ito. Bagkus, ito'y isang magandang gawain sa lahat ng may pananampalataya sa kanilang Diyos! Subalit, sa kadahilanang sarado at mangmang ang mga pastor na ito tungkol sa saklaw ng pagiging homosexual, pati utak ng mga mga tao ay nilason na nila sa kaisipang ang babae ay para sa lalaki at walang puwang sa mundo ang mga bakla at tomboy. American evangelicals such as Scott Lively and California pastor  Rick Warren  have a history of involvement in Uganda where they focus their missionary work. As a result, Warren and others have become influential in th...

CSWCD, UP Diliman -- The Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) , the pioneer transgender human rights organization in the Philippines, makes history as they send off a communication to the United Nations (UN) that calls attention to state responsibilities of the Philippine Government as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to pay careful attention to how the justice system updates itself with current developments in international human rights law in its understanding of gender identity through the lived experiences of transsexual women. "The launch of this historical and important communication to the United Nations comes at a very opportune time what with the recent hurtful pronouncements made by the mother of Congressman Manny Pacquiao. Mommy Dionisia has made comments about transsexuals and their use of the pill showing the widespread ignorance about transsexualism in the Philippines," says STRAP Chairwoman Nao...

A group of lesbian lawyers reacted to the alleged malicious statement of veteran showbiz writer and tv host, Cristy Fermin, to singer/actress Aiza Seguerra, advising the latter not to talk about morality because she “lives an immoral life.” Lately, Seguerra found herself in the controversy after tweeting on the incident involving a 6-year old boy gyrating as a 'macho' dancer in TV5’s Willing Willie show hosted by Willie Revillame. On her radio program, Fermin, who is a staunch supporter of the host, defended Revillame but did not name Seguerra as the object of her malicious pitch. According to the founding president of Rainbow Rig hts Project, Atty. Germaine Leonin, Fermin's statement was uncalled for and bothersome, since her working environment is being dominated by gays and lesbians. The group was saddened because until now, society is still judgmental and prejudiced. “Being lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) is not equal to immorality. Please focus on th...

Yoga for Life is the first ever community-based yoga class series, specially designed for the needs of people living with HIV, but open as well to others who support them and want to experience the beauty of yoga. For inquiries, you may contact: Charmaine: 0917 540-4247 | charmaine.cuunjieng@gmail.com Paulo: 0917 388-9658 | comradepaw@gmail.com yogaforlife.ph@gmail.com Photos taken by Noel Abelardo http://noelabelardo.multiply.com/photos/album/61/Yoga_For_Life This Heart is Still Beating

These past months have been a hectic one for me at work and my advocacy; I reasonably lost in touch with my sister who also happens to have a demanding work as a pharmacist in a public hospital. And so last night, when at last, our energies and time met and we planned to have some indulging and pampering and consequently, we headed at WENSHA SPA CENTER last March 16 at 12 midnight. We went to the WENSHA SPA CENTER located at Timog Ave. corner Panay Ave, Quezon City. We merrily entered the spa because of its good ambiance and it was our first time to experience some indulging and pampering at midnight. Actions and occurrences were initially without abrupt turns when we availed for their full packages promo – facial and body massage or foot massage or foot spa. We were given bracelet keys for our lockers and colored rubber slippers. There was no sign that a deplorable situation will happen later. They were still gracious to ask us to proceed at the second floor. We then pro...

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...

Every girl dreams of being treated like a Princess. But in Cebu, they can actually dream of becoming a Queen. The Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) congratulates the organizers of Queen of Cebu on its sophomore year. Envisioned as an alternative pageant, Queen of Cebu has proven not only to be a grand showcase of the beauty, talent & splendid uniqueness of the Cebuana transpinay but as well as a magnificent platform to advocate for respect of gender diversity & the right to determine one’s gender identity. Thank you to those who put together Queen of Cebu & for setting a very high bar indeed. As has been said, excellence is the best deterrent to sexism. Now our Cebuana transpinay sisters have another prestigious pageant that they can not only be proud to be a part of & call their own but as well as to use to break down barriers of prejudice. May dreams come true on pageant night (6 November 2010, Saturday, 8 pm, Waterfront Hotel Cebu)! May all ...

What: RBP General Assembly Where: Mooters Bar - 88 Meralco Ave., cor J. Vargas, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Landmarks: Beside Ortigas Home Depot When: October 9, 2010, 7pm RSVP: Yffar Aquino 09069462087 09233671964 09086831722 raff_aquino@yahoo.com.ph

Ang Ladlad slammed the ordinance of Cebu Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy requiring business establishments to designate a separate restroom exclusively for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgenders (LGBTs). The ordinance said that "separate restroom is the solution to end the confusion of what public restroom should a member of the LGBT avail for them to feel safe, comfortable and convenient wherein there are only male and female comfort rooms." While Ang Ladlad lauds and appreciates the intent of Mr. Sitoy to address the needs and concerns of LGBTs, its members, especially from the Cebu chapter, have strong reservations about this ordinance. Ang Ladlad believes that a separate restroom for LGBTs perpetuates our already marginalized existence. Jubelle Toledo, one of Ladlad's focal points in Cebu City, stresses that, "requiring all establishments to put up a separate facility means that LGBTs are being treated differently and this could isolate or marginalize us e...

Mark your calendars! Something BIG will happen in Cebu this coming August 7 and August 8. Global Xchange , a youth volunteering programme by the VSO and British Council that is composed of 9 Filipino and 9 British 18-25 year olds, have prepared two back-to-back events this weekend as part of their Butterfly effect project advocacy (visit: http://thebutterflyeffectproject.com ). The first event will happen on August 7. It is called 1GOAL: EDUCATION FOR ALL Football Clinic . The second event will happen on August 8 which is the I WANT TO BE FAIR CAMPAIGN LAUNCH . The Global Xchange volunteers have been back from United Kingdom and are now on their second phase in the Philippines. Taking the lead in affecting change in their community, they now venture in promoting 1GOAL: Education for All campaign. Global Xchange, which is an initiative set up by VSO in partnership with British Council and VSO Bahaginan, is a volunteer exchange program which gives young people from the Philippines and t...

Life is not a walk in the park- ask Adam. On top of juggling his career and set of wacky friends among others, the romance department seems to be making things extra complicated for him. Now that Adam has finally met Troy, the mysterious Boracay guy from the New Year's party, how will this affect the thing between him and Brandon? Will the whole romance between Adam and Brandon really develop? More importantly, will things be more complicated if somebody extra special from the past come back? Continue to follow Adam as he discover the sweeter and stickier side of love. When Boy meets Boy 2 will resume this August!

With just two weeks before June (Pride Month) ends, our beloved sorority, STRAP , decided to increase our fans on Facebook. The STRAP girls who have Facebook accounts (I don't) made profile pictures of themselves with the STRAP logo (see above) and encouraged all their friends to like STRAP's fan page. It was really sweet and I appreciate all the girls who took part in this mini-project. My lovely ladies, you rock! I do not think that we'd be able to reach our target of having 1000 fans by June 30th. At any rate, it was truly a valiant effort. Still, we have four days to go. So just in case you love STRAP as we all do, please be our fan on Facebook. Also, tell all your friends? Thank you so much. Just in case, you can see the STRAP Facebook Fan Page here . Happy Pride Month to all!