A Step Forward: UP Babaylan at the 1st MSM/TG and HIV Conference

BY MAE HERNANDEZ

In its advocacy to eradicate discrimination and ignorance on LGBT issues, UP Babaylan participated in the very first National Conference on Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)/Transgender (TG) and HIV held at Greenhills Elan Modern Hotel, San Juan City on July 23-24, organized by the Health Action Information Network (HAIN) and TLF SHARE Collective.

Mae Hernandez, Pangalawang Punong Babaylan, represented UP Babaylan at the conference. It was participated by different community–based gay and MSM organizations and support groups across the country. The highlights of the event included several talks from experts and guest speakers and workshops that the participants actively took part in.

The two–day conference aims to bring together groups working on HIV prevention among MSM and transgender individuals in the Philippines for a collective analysis of the health and sexual rights situation among MSM and transgender persons and to learn from their experiences. The conference is the first step towards initiating the approved United Nations Development Project on MSM and TG populations which will be implemented in collaboration with HAIN and TLF SHARE Collective in the next three years.

TLF SHARE Collective is an affiliate of UP Babaylan.

Babaylanes.org NOW ONLINE!

BABAYLANES.ORG

Babaylanes Inc. is the first and, so far, the only LGBT education initiative focusing on developing the capacities of LGBT communities in campuses to enable them to organize effectively, raise the consciousness and awareness of LGBT students, and foster a sense of solidarity and community.

Babaylanes Inc. is the alumni association of the University of the Philippines (UP) Babaylan. Founded in 1992, UP Babaylan is the first officially recognized LGBT students’ organization not only in UP Diliman but in the whole country. Also, it is one of the most established and oldest LGBT organizations in the country. In 2007, the more than a hundred alumni of the organization have committed to expand their advocacy work beyond UP by assisting LGBT students’ organizing initiatives in other schools through Babaylanes Inc.

Babaylanes Inc. aims to share lessons in LGBT student organizing, raise the level of consciousness of LGBT students about their rights and sexuality, and serve as a center for leadership for the various LGBT communities in campuses across the country.

In the light of the lack of organizing initiatives among LGBT students, “Replicating the Babaylan Experience” in other schools is the current flagship program of Babaylanes Inc. Organizing among LGBT students is crucial to the protection of their rights and in providing a social support system by fostering a sense of community.

Goals

• Awareness Raising. Education is crucial in cultivating a responsive and vigilant LGBT community, conscious of their rights and welfare.
• Community Building. The necessary first step in advancing LGBT concerns is bringing together LGBT individuals towards the collective goal of advancing the interests of the community.
• Consolidation of LGBT Communities. Forging links and cooperation between and among LGBT communities is crucial in collectively addressing the community’s issues and concerns.
• Campaign, Advocacy and Mainstreaming of LGBT Concerns. The LGBT community must aggressively address discrimination, bigotry and ignorance by mobilizing support from within the community and from other sectors of society.
• Support for the initiatives of UP Babaylan. Active support is to be extended to the UP Babaylan to strengthen the organization and make more meaningful its organizing, expansion and advocacy efforts.

UP Babaylan x 15th ASEF University : Korea

Hender Gercio was the Philippine Representative to the 15th ASEF University in Korea which was held from  June 29 to July 10, 2009.

Babaylan @ Bigkas Pilipinas

BY MAE HERNANDEZ

(L-R) Kooky Tuazon, Mara Chua, Mae Hernandez

UP Babaylan has once again proved it’s not only known within the campus but outside as well. The organization was invited as a guest at Bigkas Pilipinas hosted by Kooky Tuazon on Jam 88.3, last July 11, 2009.

Mara Chua and Mae Hernandez were the members who graced Kooky Tuazon’s show. The members were able to read poems from the UP Babaylan 15th Anniversary Literary Folio on air and interacted with the host and the listeners. "It was a night full of excitement, laughter and ladies’ talk," Mae said.

Bigkas Pilipinas with Kooky Tuazon is aired over Jam 88.3, every Saturday, 9-10 PM.

Kooky Tuazon

Mae Hernandez

Mara Chua